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Google and Samsung have unveiled their latest smart glasses, marking a significant advancement in wearable technology. Nearly two years after the initial announcement of the Android XR platform that powers this hardware, the Intelligent Eyewear is now available for purchase.
Collaboration Between Tech Giants
The Intelligent Eyewear represents a collaborative effort between these two tech behemoths, with Samsung contributing its hardware expertise while Google oversees much of the software platform. These smart glasses are just one facet of the broader Android XR ecosystem, which also includes mixed-reality headsets and immersive eyewear like last year’s Samsung Galaxy XR and the upcoming Xreal Aura.
Prominent eyewear brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster have been heavily involved in the design and fitting of the new smart glasses, paralleling Meta’s partnership with Ray-Ban for its competing wearable devices. By leveraging the retail presence and customer experience of Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, Google and Samsung enable users to try on the glasses before making a purchase. Additionally, Kering Eyewear, which owns brands such as Lindberg and Maui Jim, is set to manufacture lenses for Android XR in the future.
Warby Parker’s frames start at $395 and come in three styles: Alden, Reid, and Wren, available as prescription or sunglasses with various lens options. Meanwhile, Gentle Monster’s offerings begin at $449 and feature six designs with a range of colours and tints, including prescription options for most frames.
Technical Specifications and Features
The technical components of the glasses are consistent across both brands. Weighing approximately 41 grams, which is 10 grams lighter than Meta’s Gen 3 models, these smart glasses boast a battery life of nine hours and come with a charging case that can recharge them up to seven times. They are equipped with a 12-megapixel camera and an LED indicator to alert those around you when recording is in progress.
A single button allows users to capture photos and videos for up to 90 seconds at a resolution of 3K. One of the frame designs also features touch controls, enabling users to tap for the integrated Gemini assistant or swipe to adjust the volume of the built-in speakers.
These glasses are the first to support the voice command “Hey, Gemini,” with the familiar “Hey, Google” also remaining an option. As highlighted by Juston Payne, Senior Director of XR Product Management at Google, this new method of activating the assistant makes the glasses the “optimal” way to interact with Gemini.
Compatibility and Future Developments
Interestingly, the glasses are only compatible with select devices, including Google Pixel phones, Samsung Galaxy phones, and certain iPhone models. Users will need a Pixel 7 or later, a Galaxy S or Z Fold running One UI 9.0 or higher, or an iPhone 13 Pro or newer. A Google spokesperson has indicated that further details regarding compatibility with additional phone models will be shared in 2027 following the launch.
Google has also teased a preview of the Intelligent Eyewear featuring integrated displays within the lenses, useful for navigation instructions or real-time subtitles for those with hearing impairments. However, these features are still under testing with individuals outside of Google, and no specific release date has been provided. Regarding plans for audio-only smart glasses akin to Meta’s recent Ray-Ban Audio, Warby Parker co-CEO Dave Gilboa noted there is a robust pipeline of additional products in development.
Functional Capabilities of the Intelligent Eyewear
Smart glasses have been around for a few years now but come in various forms. Unlike display glasses that connect to a laptop to extend or mirror screens, or the more immersive virtual reality glasses from Meta that overlay virtual experiences onto the real world, the Intelligent Eyewear closely resembles the original Google Glass introduced years ago.
Users can listen to notifications from their connected smartphones and respond to messages using Gemini. The glasses allow for music playback, phone calls, and voice-guided navigation through Google Maps. While they do feature photo and video capabilities, Payne emphasises that these glasses are more about utilising Gemini to assist users throughout their day rather than focusing solely on content creation.
Addressing Privacy Concerns
This focus on functionality may be a response to public scrutiny surrounding the use of smart glasses, which has led to the emergence of terms like “Meta Creep” to describe those who wear them. Payne acknowledges that with Google Glass, it became clear that not communicating intentions could make people uncomfortable. Therefore, Google is implementing policies and features alongside the eyewear to alleviate these concerns. This includes manipulation detection; should someone attempt to obstruct the indicator light while recording, the camera will automatically cease operation.
When asking Gemini to observe something, those images will not be stored in your Gemini history, and Google has stated they will not be used for training AI models or personalising advertisements. The glasses will also automatically anonymise the faces of individuals nearby before any visual data is processed by Gemini.
Gemini’s Role in Smart Glasses Functionality
Many functions surrounding the Intelligent Eyewear revolve around Gemini. For instance, if you see an advertisement for a comedy show, you can simply ask Gemini for more information or to add it to your calendar. You can instruct Gemini to add items to your shopping list or create a travel itinerary with hotel recommendations, storing it in a note. Some of these capabilities are retained within the Gemini app but can also leverage other smartphone applications. For example, Gemini can play music from Apple Music on an iPhone, or save notes in Samsung Notes on a Samsung device.
Activating Gemini essentially leads to a Gemini Live experience, allowing for seamless conversation. Users can swipe back on the frames to end the interaction. When requesting that Gemini observes something before them, specificity in questioning is essential; otherwise, the camera will remain inactive. You can ask Gemini to summarise a page from a book or seek cocktail recipe suggestions based on the ingredients you have available.
Advanced Features and Accessibility Options
Some Gemini controls are processed directly on the device and do not require cloud connectivity, such as asking the assistant to play the next track. Google has indicated that early next year, users will be able to utilise gestures on devices like the Fitbit Air or Google Pixel Watch to control music playback or activate Gemini directly from their wrist.
Another notable feature is translation. Gemini will automatically detect languages and translate them into your preferred language. To hear the translation, you’ll need to look directly at the speaker; the effectiveness varies depending on the environment and noise levels, but performance has been impressively accurate in controlled demonstrations.
Guided Vision for Enhanced Accessibility
The Guided Vision feature provides audio descriptions for visually impaired users, assisting with tasks like reading fine print or locating everyday objects. Google is also collaborating with Aira to enable users to stream images from the glasses directly to a human interpreter for real-time visual assistance.
In an effort to demystify these capabilities and reassure consumers that smart glasses are not merely a passing trend for technology enthusiasts, both Warby Parker and Gentle Monster are launching pop-up experiences in New York City this week. Gentle Monster’s temporary store will remain open for approximately a month, while Warby Parker’s “Literatureland” will continue until 2027, allowing visitors to explore the experience while trying on non-prescription glasses to test Gemini’s capabilities.
Gilboa from Warby Parker states, “These are the first wearables that have existed for hundreds of years. Many people start by getting an eye exam at one of our stores, and then they come, try the product, and purchase it; we simply want to make the process as easy and seamless as possible.”
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