MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—Google said yesterday that it is closing down its Glass Explorer Program and halting sales of the Glass Explorer Edition on Jan. 19, but promised to continue developing new versions of Glass for future release.

In a statement on its Google+  website, the company said the move is part of a restructuring of its Glass business unit, which is being moved out of Google[x], its technology incubator unit so it can function on its own.

“As part of this transition, we’re closing the Explorer Program so we can focus on what’s coming next. Jan. 19 will be the last day to get the Glass Explorer Edition,” Google said in the statement. “In the meantime, we’re continuing to build for the future, and you’ll start to see future versions of Glass when they’re ready.” Google did not specify when Glass might be relaunched.

The Glass business unit will continue to be managed by design and marketing expert Ivy Ross, according to a news report by the BBC. Ross and the Glass team will report to Tony Fadell, the chief executive of the home automation business Nest, acquired by Google a year ago, the BBC said.

Although Google will stop taking orders for Glass, the company will continue to support companies that are using Glass, the BBC reported.

Google launched the Explorer program in 2013. The program gave software developers the opportunity to buy Glass for $1,500.

Google had collaborated with two major optical companies through the Glass Explorers program. In January, 2014, in conjunction with the release of the first prescription eyeglass collection for Glass, Google announced that it had formed a partnership with VSP Global that was intended to give Explorers access to a network of 30,000 VSP providers throughout the country who were to be trained and certified to fit Glass.

In March, 2014, Luxottica Group S.p.A.and Google agreed to join forces to design, develop and distribute a new breed of eyewear for Glass, which will include the involvement of Ray-Ban and Oakley brands from within Luxottica’s portfolio.