GOOGLE announced on Monday that it plans to release its first AI-powered glasses in 2026, stepping up competition with Meta in the fast-growing consumer market for AI wearables.

The Alphabet-owned company is partnering with hardware designers Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker — the latter of which secured a US$150 million commitment from Google in May.

According to media reports, the glasses will be offered in two versions. The first model integrates AI for screen-free assistance, equipped with built-in speakers, microphones, and cameras to interact with Google’s Gemini assistant. Users will be able to take photos through the glasses and ask Gemini about their surroundings in real time.

The second includes the same AI features along with an in-lens display capable of showing helpful information such as turn-by-turn directions or live translation captions. Both models will connect to a smartphone for processing and will run on Android XR, Google’s wearable platform.

Google emphasized that the glasses will be designed to be stylish, lightweight, and comfortable enough for all-day wear.

Monday’s announcement follows Google’s May statement that it would re-enter the smart glasses market. Reflecting on past lessons from the failed Google Glass — which struggled a decade ago due to high cost, limited functionality, and privacy concerns — co-founder Sergey Brin noted that earlier efforts were hampered by less advanced AI and limited supply-chain expertise.

“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 in May.

The AI wearables space is heating up, with Meta currently in the lead. Its Ray-Ban Meta glasses, developed with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica and featuring the Meta AI assistant, have seen notable success. In September, Meta also launched its own display-enabled glasses that allow users to view messages, photo previews, and live captions through a small lens-embedded screen.

Other players like Snap and Alibaba are also rolling out AI glasses, and rumors suggest Apple could unveil its own AI smart glasses as early as 2026.

Meanwhile, Google revealed software updates for the Galaxy XR headset, including compatibility with Windows PCs and a travel mode for use on planes and in cars.

The success of Android XR and Gemini carries broader implications for Google’s ecosystem. Similar to Android for smartphones, Android XR is open to other manufacturers for building headsets and glasses. Early partners include Samsung and Chinese AR device manufacturer Xreal.

When asked about the sustainability of the AI boom, Xreal founder and CEO Xu Chi expressed confidence: “AI is for real.”(SD-Agencies)