Apple CEO Tim Cook isn’t seeing a Google Glass future.
Cook, interviewed at the All Things D11 conference Tuesday night, gave his expert tech opinion on whether consumers would embrace smart glasses like the ones Google is developing.
The short answer from Cook: No.
He wears glasses because he has to, and doesn’t know many people with fine vision would start wearing them for computing.
Cook’s sentiments were some of the most revealing so far from Apple about the burgeoning wearable tech space, whether it be Internet glasses or smart watches.
Cook did say that wearable could be the next branch in mobile computing, but he hasn’t seen anything from rivals that impressed him yet— or, for that matter, discouraged him from thinking Apple would be the most innovative player in the space.
The analysis from Steve Jobs’ successor was a rare glimpse into Apple’s thinking.
Cook’s opinion on consumer readiness for Google Glass comes with extra weight coming from the CEO of the company that grew to biggest player in tech — and beyond — by anticipating what customers would embrace.
Apple defined mobile computing with the iPod, iPhone and iPad.
Cook said there would be another product category to grow into another branch on that tree.
As usual during the interview, conducted by Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg, Cook stayed vague about the company’s plans, saying he didn’t want to tip off rivals.
Still, it seemed clear smart glasses was not a priority.
He said they could be a niche device for tech enthusiasts, but broader appeal was unlikely.
Apple is rumored to be developing a smart watch.
Whatever the product, Cook seemed confident Apple would still be able to define categories the way it has grown accustomed to doing.
Cook also touched on TVs as still an area of great interest.
All Things D is owned by News Corp., which also owns The Post.
Cook also confirmed that Apple would reveal a long awaited redesign to the iOS mobile software, a refresh led by design guru Jony Ive.
The new look for phones and tablets will come at next month’s developers’ conference.
Cook also had less than praise for one of Facebook’s latest products: The Facebook Home mobile experience that takes over your homescreen.
Yet again, it is something he doesn’t think most consumers want.
He did say there are many areas in which Apple could work with Facebook, but some of Home’s more invasive features like “chatheads” aren’t among them.
Cook did say Apple will open its mobile platform to more third-party innovation, similar to but not as much as Google has done with Android.
gsloane@nypost.com