Google has offered a fresh look at its latest smart glasses prototype during its keynote at the annual Google I/O developer conference, highlighting major advancements in wearable technology. These smart glasses, built on the new Android XR platform, incorporate deep integration with Google’s artificial intelligence assistant, Gemini, and are designed to combine functionality with a stylish form factor.
The glasses were initially teased earlier this year in April, but the latest demonstration showcased more refined features and real-world use cases. As part of the ongoing evolution of Google’s extended reality (XR) ecosystem, the wearable is being promoted as an intelligent companion device for Android users.
The prototype includes an embedded camera, microphones, and speakers, along with an optional heads-up display integrated within the lens. This display is capable of showing contextual information to assist users in everyday tasks. One of the device’s primary aims is to streamline the user experience by allowing access to smartphone apps without the need to handle the device physically.
At the conference, Google demonstrated several practical applications of the glasses. These included the ability to send messages, schedule appointments, navigate using real-time directions, capture photos, and even facilitate live translation between two people speaking different languages. The smart glasses are tailored to complement Android smartphones, offering seamless interaction between hardware and software.
In a move to ensure the new product line appeals to fashion-conscious consumers, Google confirmed it has entered into collaborations with prominent eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. This suggests that the company is prioritising aesthetics alongside functionality. Notably absent from these partnerships is EssilorLuxottica, a key player in the smart eyewear space and the current manufacturing partner for Meta’s wearable line. Although Google reportedly approached the brand to join the initiative, EssilorLuxottica has opted to maintain its long-term arrangement with Meta.
Additionally, Google has revealed a further extension of its collaboration with Samsung within the Android XR ecosystem. Both companies plan to develop a comprehensive software and hardware reference platform aimed at enabling original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to create their own smart glasses running on Android XR. The platform is expected to open to developers later this year, paving the way for broader innovation in the category.
This partnership with Samsung is not new, as both firms have been working together on Project Moohan—a mixed reality headset also based on Android XR. Google has reiterated its commitment to launching this headset in 2025, reinforcing its long-term strategy in immersive technology.
While the precise launch date and final product design for the smart glasses have yet to be announced, Google confirmed that prototype units are currently undergoing public testing. More detailed information is expected in the coming months as the company continues refining its offering.
Meanwhile, competition in the smart eyewear space is heating up. Meta is set to expand its own range of smart glasses later this year, including models that feature a monocular display—a concept bearing a resemblance to Google’s prototype. As major tech players race to define the future of wearable computing, Google’s latest smart glasses mark a significant step towards blending practical technology with everyday wearability.
