Google Glass 2 Release Date Coming? Google Upgrading Glasses Explorer Edition In November, Expanding Glass Explorer Program

The Google Glass Explorer Edition has only been available for select users since April, but Google Glass 2 may arrive as early as November. Google announced Monday that members of the Explorer program will be able to swap their device for a second-generation version with upgraded hardware. Additionally, Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) is looking to expand the Explorer program.

“Google Glass 2” will be compatible with prescription frames and future lines of sunglasses. The second edition Glass also includes a mono earbud to replace the bone conduction speaker the Explorer Edition of Glass has. Glass Explorers can even request Google for a new color.

Explorers who purchased Google's glasses before Oct. 28 are eligible for the one-time swap, and will have 60 days after the program opens to do so. Google said it will notify members of the Glass Explorers program in November of how to sign up, but they are welcome to pass on the upgrade if they prefer.

Over the next few weeks, Google will also let Glass Explorers invite three people to join the testing program. These friends will be able to able to purchase their own Google Glass for $1,500. Unlike the original group, who had to travel to San Francisco or New York to pick up their glass, Google will ship Glass to the new Explorers.

“We’re counting on your to get Glass to the people you think will make great Explorers,” the Google Glass team wrote in a Google Plus post. “More Explorers means more feedback, and more feedback means better Glass.”

The Glass Explorers program had about 8,000 testers, so that means there may soon be as many as 32,000 people running around with Google Glass on their faces. It isn’t clear if the new users will receive Google Glass 2 or the original version.

Google originally hoped to release Glass to the public by the end of this year, but has since pushed the release date back to 2014.