Asger Risom
Google is preparing another push into wearable tech, this time with a pair of AI glasses
Google is preparing another push into wearable tech, this time with a pair of AI glasses designed to bring its Gemini assistant into everyday life. The company says the devices are meant to function like ordinary eyewear, but with an always-available chatbot that can hear, see and respond to the world around the wearer.
The launch marks Google’s most ambitious attempt yet to revive a product category that once stumbled over privacy fears and awkward design.
Two models in development
According to details shared in a company blog post, Google is building two versions of the glasses.
One is a screen-free model with speakers, microphones and cameras that allow users to talk naturally with Gemini, take photos and receive hands-free guidance. The other adds an in-lens display that quietly surfaces information such as navigation cues or live translation.
Google executive Shahram Izadi said both models are intended for all-day wear, functioning like standard glasses or sunglasses while offering contextual help whenever needed.
The glasses are being developed with eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, with the first consumer units expected early next year.
Learning from past failures
This is not Google’s first experiment with smartglasses. Its early Google Glass headset debuted more than a decade ago but faced criticism over its look, short battery life and limited software.
Privacy concerns around its built-in camera led to widespread backlash and the “Glassholes” label for early adopters. Production ended in 2015.
Since then, other companies have reclaimed the space. Meta and Ray-Ban have sold more than 2 million pairs of camera-equipped smartglasses since 2023, while Apple is preparing its own eyewear for release in 2026.
Built on new software
The new Google glasses will run on Android XR, a system designed for extended reality devices including Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset. The operating system supports augmented-reality layers for apps like Google Meet and Google Maps, enabling users to access overlays without removing the glasses.
With Gemini integrated, wearers will be able to capture photos, review them and make edits directly through the headset.
Details still to come
Google has not yet shown the final design or revealed pricing. A full unveiling is expected at an event next year as the company positions the glasses as an everyday gateway to AI assistance rather than a niche gadget.
Sources: The Independent
