SANTA CLARA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Intel Corporation has quietly discontinued its Recon Jet smart sunglasses line as part of its reported move out of the wearables market. In a document published on the Intel website, the company said it would stop accepting orders for the products on Sept. 29.
The Jet was launched in 2013 by Recon Instruments, a company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company, which had previously offered a ski goggle with similar features, aimed the Jet at the cycling market, with an endorsement from recently retired pro cyclist George Hincapie. Later that year Intel made an investment in Recon Instruments and then bought it outright in 2015.
Intel also purchased the fitness wearables brand Basis in 2015 and has been involved in the development of sports wearable products from Oakley and Tag Heuer. However, tech industry news sources report that Intel is largely leaving the wearables market, with significant layoffs in the division last fall. CNBC reported Thursday that Intel shut down its entire wearables division this month.
BRAIN on Thursday reached out to an Intel employee who has been a spokesman for Recon in the past. The employee has not responded.
Everysight, an Israel-based company, is continuing to move ahead with its heads-up display sunglass, also marked for cyclists. The company attended Summer PressCamp last month and said it will begin shipping its glasses soon.
