Google will launch its first AI glasses in 2026, according to a company blog post.At Google’s I/O event in May, the company announced partnerships with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to create consumer wearables based on Android XR, the operating system that powers Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset. But you can’t wear a bulky headset while out in the real world, which makes smart glasses appealing as a less obtrusive smart wearable.“For AI and XR to be truly helpful, the hardware needs to fit seamlessly into yo ...

Core Insights - Google is launching a new line of AI eyewear to compete with Meta's Ray-Ban glasses, emphasizing personal style and customization [1][4] - The new glasses will be part of Google's Android XR platform, developed in partnership with Samsung, and will support augmented reality and AI features [2][3] Product Development - The first line of smart glasses featuring multimodal AI is expected to launch after 2025, with additional products planned in collaboration with Warby Parker [3] - Google has committed up to $150 million to this partnership, with $75 million allocated for product development and commercialization [4] Market Context - Warby Parker's stock rose nearly 15% following the announcement of the collaboration with Google [4] - Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses have seen sales triple over the past year, with prices ranging from $300 to $500, and a new version with a built-in display is expected to launch later this year [6][7] Competitive Landscape - Meta is also developing a more advanced line of AR glasses, codenamed "Artemis," aimed for release by 2027, while Google is working on its own "Project Aura" glasses [8] - Google has been exploring smart glasses for over a decade, with previous attempts like Google Glass being discontinued in 2023 [9] Technology Demonstration - A live demo of the Project Aura glasses showcased features such as messaging, appointment scheduling, and live language translation, although the demo experienced some glitches [10]