A decade after Google launched Google Glass to spectacular failure, the company is trying again. This time, the world—and I—may be more receptive to what Google's online AI interpreter, Gemini, can do when plugged into your ear.
I had a chance to try out a prototype version of Google's XR glasses at the Google I/O conference. The eyewear announcements from I/O can be confusing: Xreal and Google showed Project Aura, a wearable XR glass project they talked about last year, and Google is partnering with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on connected glasses that will debut first in an audio-only mode, then add a small heads-up display in the corner of your vision at a later time.
The prototype I tried, manufactured by Samsung, incorporates elements of the Warby Parker and Gentle Monster technologies. It is not a product per se, but a vehicle to show off what Google hopes to accomplish in its new take on connected eyewear.
Honestly, the whole thing still has an aura of unreality about it. Google's first connected glasses, Google Glass, first debuted in 2012 as Project Glass, and don't feel that different from what the company showed off at I/O 2026, more than a decade later. What is different is that attitudes towards smart glasses have completely changed. Google Glass wearers were derided as “Glassholes,” especially those who recorded people using the onboard, outward-facing camera. Now, connected devices from Meta have been somewhat bafflingly accepted by society, even with anecdotal reports of users still taking pictures and recording video after modifying the eyewear to disable a small LED that signals recording in progress. My colleague wears a pair around the office, and though I trust him, the recording potential still mildly unnerves me.
Those capabilities are still built into Google's prototype, and I didn't see—or, to be fair, ask—about if a similar LED would be there when I looked around the world. But the reason Glass worked, and I think the new Google glasses will too, is that an AI assistant is still a handy thing to navigate the world.
Google's AI glasses are surprisingly light
Google didn't answer questions about the hardware: the specs, battery life, the features of the display, camera, and so on. And to be fair, I wasn't particularly interested. The glasses are basically a way to push Google Gemini in front of you, replacing your phone.
Physically, the most important thing is that they felt normal. There was no additional weight or thickness, nothing to indicate that you were wearing anything other than a pair of sunglasses out in the bright California sun. From the front, there is a small circle that signals the presence of a camera, along with a small button along the right frame for snapping a photo. That right-hand side of the frame also includes a touch-sensitive surface upon which you can swipe and tap to trigger Gemini and control the volume of the small, integrated speakers. Those were a little faint for the busy room the glasses were demonstrated in.
That's all a plus in Google's favor, in my book. Most technology right now seems to be oriented toward reminding you that AI exists and for you to use it. I'd rather Gemini sit in the background and show up when I need it. And it does.
What can Gemini do in a pair of connected glasses?
Gemini is there to fulfill its traditional role: serve as a search engine of sorts if you need help explaining what ratatouille is, for example, or how it's made. You can play songs from Spotify, or add a reminder to take the cat to the vet. But the glasses are supposed to allow Gemini an eye into the world too, “looking” at a concert poster and looking into tickets, or explaining what sort of wine might pair with that dish you're looking to whip up for dinner. All of this gets piped into your eardrums via the speakers.
Granted, there's a modicum of convenience in it all. The glasses don't stand alone; they connect to your phone, which in turn connects to Wi-Fi or cellular data. You could pull out your phone and take a snap of a recipe just as easily. What the glasses do is simply eliminate the steps of fishing your phone out, unlocking it, opening the app, and so on. There is no facial recognition being built in, I was told.
Some of the AI feels decidedly forced. Do I want to snap a photo with the glasses and then restyle it into an anime? Absolutely not. But it can, and even send it to your phone or connected smartwatch.
The on-glass heads-up display (HUD) is also simplistic, and that's fine with me. I'm going to guess that most people will find the HUD most useful to pop up reminders, or to serve as a basic navigation aid. Though I was stuck in a large complex of buildings (the Shoreline Amphitheatre, adjoining Google's campus), the mapping feature seemed to just show me an overall map of my surroundings, rather than “turn left in 100 yards” step-by-step directions. I think I'd want that, especially navigating something like an airport, college campus, or museum, as well as just looking for a flat white.
Some of the hardware concerns will be concerns: battery life, mainly. And I'm not sure what I'd want out of a HUD—probably minimal distractions, certainly. So far, Gemini must be activated by tapping and holding the eyewear's button, though a wake word (“Hey Google”) is intended for the final product.
I still have qualms about privacy, though I think an overt signal (a tap or wake word) is helpful. I'm still a little hesitant about holding a close conversation with someone, then interjecting Gemini to add a reminder or an appointment or simply to ask it a question. That, I think, is going to be a polarizing feature. In fact—and I can't believe I'm saying this—in certain situations, I might actually like an AI-connected eyewear to take an even more active, always-on role. Audio guides at museums steer you to a curated list of exhibits, but imagine an AI popping up to relate a story on the subject of a painting after it noticed you glancing at it. There's room for exploration here.
The evolution from Google Glass to these new prototypes highlights how the tech industry has learned from past mistakes. Privacy concerns were a major factor in the rejection of the original product. Google now seems more cautious, even as it pushes the boundaries of wearable AI. The partnership with established eyewear brands like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster suggests a strategy focused on fashion and social acceptance, rather than just technology. Meta's success with its Ray-Ban Stories and later smart glasses proved that consumers are more willing to adopt such devices if they look like ordinary glasses and offer clear value without being intrusive. Google appears to be following a similar path.
Under the hood, these glasses rely on the power of the Gemini AI model, which can process visual and audio inputs in real time. The fact that they connect to a phone means the heavy lifting is done elsewhere, keeping the glasses lightweight. However, this dependency also means battery life on the glasses themselves might be adequate for a day's use, but the phone's battery will drain faster. Real-world usability will depend on how well the integration works without constant recharging.
The touch controls and camera button add a layer of physical interaction that avoids having to speak commands in public. Yet, the faint speakers were a drawback in the noisy demo environment. For the final product, Google will need to ensure that audio output is clear enough in various settings, whether on a busy street or in a quiet cafe.
As for the HUD, it remains rudimentary. Google showed a basic display that shows text and simple graphics projected into the corner of the lens. This is similar to what early Google Glass offered. But the key difference is the context: now, Gemini can analyze what you see and provide relevant information without you having to look down at a phone. For example, while standing in front of a museum exhibit, the glasses could whisper facts about the artist. The potential for augmented information is enormous, but Google seems to be pacing itself, focusing first on simple tasks like reminders and navigation.
One area where these glasses could truly shine is for accessibility. For people with visual impairments or mobility issues, having an AI assistant that can describe the environment or read text aloud could be life-changing. Google has not highlighted this angle, but it is an obvious application. Meanwhile, for the average user, the glasses might become a companion for quick information queries, hands-free communication, and seamless interaction with Google services.
The lingering question is privacy. Even with an LED indicator, the fear of being recorded without consent remains. Google says no facial recognition is included, but that could change with software updates. The company will need to maintain transparency and user controls to avoid another backlash. The Meta glasses, despite acceptance, have faced scrutiny over privacy. Google must tread carefully.
Overall, the prototype feels like a confident step forward. It is not a revolutionary product, but an evolutionary one that fixes many of the original Google Glass's flaws. The design is discreet, the AI is genuinely useful for certain tasks, and the user experience is smooth—if still limited. Whether the final product can convince consumers to adopt smart glasses widely will depend on pricing, battery life, and the breadth of Gemini's capabilities. But for now, Google's AI glasses are what Google Glass always wanted to be: a subtle, helpful companion that fades into the background until you need it.
The path from the 2012 Glass to this 2026 prototype has been long and winding. The tech industry has learned that wearable tech must not just be functional but also socially acceptable. Google seems to have internalized that lesson. By partnering with established eyewear makers and focusing on AI rather than flashy augmented reality, the company is betting that utility will win over gimmicks.
During my short time with the glasses, I found myself appreciating the ability to quickly ask Gemini for information without pulling out my phone. The AI responded promptly, though sometimes with answers that felt too generic. For instance, when I asked about the best wine for a pasta dish, Gemini suggested a Chianti, which was fine but not groundbreaking. Still, the convenience of having the answer spoken into my ear while I continued to look at the menu was compelling.
The biggest challenge will be convincing people to wear them regularly. Unlike a smartwatch, which is a natural extension of one's wrist, glasses are a facial accessory that many people already wear for vision correction or sun protection. Google's prototypes are designed as sunglasses, but the final product will likely also include prescription lenses. That is a huge market. If Google can make the glasses affordable and offer a seamless experience, they might become as common as wireless earbuds.
In summary, while the prototype has its rough edges, it represents a mature, thoughtful rethinking of a concept that once seemed destined for the scrap heap. The AI integration is smart, the design is discreet, and the potential is vast. I came away impressed and curious to see how this will evolve into a commercial reality.
Source: PCWorld News