TLDR
- Google plans to launch its first AI-powered glasses in 2026, partnering with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker on hardware design.
- The company will release two types: audio-only glasses with Gemini AI assistant and glasses with in-lens displays showing navigation and translations.
- Google committed $150 million to Warby Parker in May 2024 as part of their collaboration agreement.
- The glasses will run on Android XR operating system, marking Google’s return to smart eyewear after shelving Google Glass nearly a decade ago.
- Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses have seen surprising success in the AI wearables market, prompting increased competition from Google, Snap, and Alibaba.
Google announced plans to enter the AI wearables market in 2026 with new smart glasses. The tech giant revealed details during The Android Show | XR Edition event on Monday.
The company will partner with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker to design the hardware. Google committed $150 million to Warby Parker back in May as part of this collaboration.
Warby Parker confirmed the timeline in a Monday filing. The eyewear retailer said the first products from their Google partnership will arrive in 2026.
Google plans to release two distinct product lines. The first will be audio-only glasses equipped with the Gemini AI assistant. Users will interact with these glasses through voice commands.
The second product line will feature in-lens displays. These glasses will show information like navigation directions and language translations directly in the user’s field of vision.
Both products will run on Android XR. This is Google’s operating system designed specifically for headsets and wearable devices.
Return to Smart Eyewear
This marks Google’s return to the smart glasses market after a rocky start. The company shelved its consumer-focused Glass product nearly a decade ago.
Co-founder Sergey Brin spoke about past mistakes in May. He cited less advanced AI technology and supply chain issues that led to expensive price points.
“Now, in the AI world, the things these glasses can do to help you out without constantly distracting you — that capability is much higher,” Brin said.
Warby Parker described its upcoming products as “lightweight and AI-enabled.” The company did not reveal pricing or distribution plans yet.
Growing Competition in AI Wearables
Meta has emerged as the leader in AI-powered glasses. The company’s Ray-Ban Meta glasses exceeded expectations in the market.
Meta designed these glasses with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica. The products include the Meta AI digital assistant built into the frames.
Meta released display glasses in September. These allow users to see messages, photo previews, and live captions through a small lens display.
Apple entered the market earlier this year with its Vision Pro headset. The company positioned it as a premium spatial computing device.
Snap and Alibaba have also launched their own AI glasses products. The market remains small but increasingly competitive.
Google also announced software updates for the Galaxy XR headset on Monday. New features include Windows PC connectivity and a travel mode for use in planes and cars.
The collaboration between Google and Warby Parker aims to make smart eyewear suitable for all-day wear. The companies plan to leverage Android XR platform and Gemini AI model for multimodal intelligence in everyday eyewear.
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