Google to invest in Taiwan's Himax Technologies to push Google Glass

Google is pushing forward its Google Glass and has invested in Himax, a Taiwanese chipmaker, to increase production. Google Glass has been defined as vital to Google's future success according to CEO Larry Page.

The search giant has invested for a 6.3 percent stake in Himax, and according to the agreement can further raise its stake to 14.8 percent within a year, Himax stated. Google is joining Intel Capital Corp, KPCB Holdings and Khosla Ventures I LP as a core shareholder in the chipmaker’s unit. The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed yet.

Google Glass has a stamp-sized electronic display mounted on the left side of a pair of eyeglass frames. The glasses can record videos, access messages as well as browse information from the Web. Developers have already started working on potential apps for Google Glass. Google has also unveiled its own set of apps for the Glass and has earlier this year distributed a limited set of Glasses to developers. The company is aiming to make it available for more users later this year.

Himax stated, "Google Inc will take a 6.3 percent stake in the unit of Taiwanese chipmaker Himax Technologies Inc that develops display technology for devices such as Google Glass".

"The investment will help fund the production of liquid crystal on silicon chips and modules used in head-mounted devices such as Google Glass, head-up displays and pico-projectors", Himax added.

The competition is shifting from smartphones and tablets to wearable technology. Google is working on Google glass while Apple and Samsung Electronics are working on smartwatches.