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All that said, the promise of Glass felt exciting before it was released, meaning that there's something galling about Google's decision to discontinue their most controversial product now, so soon after launching. Not only because its dedicated fanbase went to such lengths to get hold of it, but because it's a broken promise, albeit one many of us never wanted upheld.Where Glass succeeded was in questioning technology's defaults. We are tethered to our smartphones, "emasculated," squinting with backs stooped enough to keep a legion of chiropractors in business. At least Google Glass admitted to a need, acknowledging just how far technology has intruded into everyday life. Glass was a triumph of narcissist Instagram culture, the advent of a selfie singularity. It took the need too far, and turned all of life into a screenshot. By allowing such a product to exist, it encouraged the delusion that it should exist.Glass served as a PR coup for Google, however unfeasible the product. Something about the idea is dazzling—the mixture of fuck-off Silicon Valley wealth and an engineer's social ineptitude. And now by killing Glass, perhaps Google has sealed it into legend.But the question remains: Is Google Glass really dead? The company may have retired its current iteration, but the Glasshole can rest assured his favorite device will return. Perhaps the new version will be cheaper, humbler, less invasive. Perhaps, like the Segway, Glass has failed in everyday use but will find a home in police departments. The device is currently being sold to law enforcement in Dubai, and was trialled by police in New York early last year. Prepare to laugh at and fear the Surveillance State Glasshole.Perhaps Google will outdo itself and swap Glass for implanted microchips, vindicating anyone who's ever bought a ticket to see David Icke speak in person. Or perhaps Glass will simply be relaunched a year or so from now, new and improved and creepier than ever. In any case, we'll undoubtedly be able to edit this Glass-less phase out of our memories, and carry on with our Google-enhanced lives some other way.Follow Roisin Kiberd on Twitter.