Google must have some aggressive production plans for Google Glass, as it acquired a 6.3 percent stake in Himax Display (HDI). HDI is a subsidiary of the Himax technologies that focuses on liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) chips and modules, which Google Glass needs. Google’s stake is a sign that Glass production is ramping up: the company says that the investment is being made to “fund production upgrades, expand capacity and further enhance production capabilities.”

Google Glass is such a polarizing topic right now, with people take entrenched positions on both sides of the coin. But while Google might be ramping up, the hype cycle around wearable tech is starting to form from a relatively sluggish launch.

But is Google getting over on us with the Google Glass price point?  One startup thinks so.

A European product, GlassUp, is launching a direct attack on Google Glass with its own take on wearable technology. GlassUp is currently running an IndieGoGo campaign for its Google Glass alternative, basically saying to consumers, “It shouldn’t cost as much as Google says Google Glass will, seriously.”

GlassUp provides 150 hours of standby battery life and 8 hours of active usage. The launch price for IndieGoGo supporters is $299 and the prescription price, $399.

You’ve heard of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) right? Well imagine an office that is BYOWD (Bring Your Own Wearable Device).  If the BYOD trend is ever to extend to wearable gadgets, we’ll have to see a broader range in price points for devices.

3 cheaper Google Glass alternatives:

• $599 Recon Jet

Designed specifically for athletes, it gives you information about your speed, heart rate, etc. in the lower right. CMO Tom Fowler has expressed his vision to see the Jet being used by more than just athletes. People like firefighters and doctors could save lives with wearable technology like this. The Recon Jet begins shipping February of 2014.

• “Under $500” Vuzix M100

The Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses is a wearable Bluetooth/Wi-Fi headpiece with a built-in HD camera and WQVGA floating eyepiece display. The M100 Smart Glasses will run on Android and eventually iOS and be available by this summer (fall for iOS, pending app approval).

• Innovega contacts + glasses

Innovega, the company that brings the digital world closer to your eyes, has been tapped by The Pentagon to deliver a fully functioning prototype of contact lenses that uses their iOptiks system. The contact lens features two different filters to allow the wearer to focus on two things at the same time. It is designed to be used in conjunction with heads up display (HUD) units like Google’s Project Glass.

Smart fashion and wearable technology is all the rage right now, and it will only swell over the next few years. For all of the Robert Scoble’ites that are fawning over Google Glass, do yourself a favor and check out the other wearable technologies. Exciting times.