THE NEWS WRAP: Google Glass gets public release in the US next week

Google has revealed it is set to release its Google Glass wearable devices to the general public next week.

Until now, the devices have only been sold to a select group of developers through the company’s Google Glass Explorer program, but this will change on April 15 with a limited release to the general public.

At this stage, the tech giant is not revealing how many pairs of the glasses will be sold as part of the limited release.

“Every day we get requests from those of you who haven’t found a way into the program yet, and we want your feedback too,” Google said.

“That’s why next Tuesday, April 15th, we’ll be trying our latest and biggest Explorer Program expansion experiment to date. We’ll be allowing anyone in the US to become an Explorer by purchasing Glass.”

Executive exodus at NBN Co

The NBN Co is in the midst of an exodus of senior executives, with three of the company’s most senior figures all announcing their resignations.

NBN Co has announced the departure of chief financial officer Robin Payne, corporate and commercial affairs head Kevin Brown and chief technology officer Gary McLaren, joining former chief executive Mike Quigley, who left the organisation in October.

NBN Co chief executive and former Vodafone boss Bill Morrow has also announced a shake-up to the organisation’s structure, which will see the power of the organisation’s CTO greatly reduced.

Ten Network posts $8 million net loss

The Ten Network has posted an $8 million net loss, with earnings for the half-year to February excluding one-off costs, interest tax and depreciation falling to $10.1 million.

The network reported a 4.4% increase in revenues to $315 million, alongside an 8.2% increase in costs.

“The increased costs reflect our investment in the KFC T20 Big Bash League and the morning television programs that were launched in November 2013,” chief executive Hamish McLennan said.

“Strict cost control is part of Ten’s DNA and we will continue to find new ways to work smarter and more efficiently. At the same time, we will make prudent and strategic investments in content to execute our turnaround strategy.”

Overnight

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down to 16170.2. The Aussie dollar is down to US94.11.