Hands-on with the all new Google Smart Glasses powered by Android XR

It was Google Exciting Android XR operating system Smart glasses Over the past year and a half, since I first announced the new one Mixed reality platform in December 2024. Now, we’re finally starting to see more polished versions of the devices, many of which will actually go on sale this fall.

in Google I/Othe company gave us a first look at Smart glasses designs They come from popular eyewear brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. These smart glasses were developed in collaboration between Samsung and Google, while the frames are designed by eyeglass companies.

Xreal also took the stage at I/O to showcase its upcoming Project Aura, which is essentially a miniature glasses version of bulky headphones like Apple Vision Pro and Samsung Galaxy XR– Operate Android app interface complete with hand gestures for interaction.

Audio-only smart glasses from Warby Parker and Gentle Monster will launch later this year. More sophisticated versions with displays built into the lenses will arrive shortly after. Xreal’s Project Aura is also coming this fall.

I had the opportunity to wear some early versions of these frames and try out some of the features in a controlled demo.

Smarter glasses

Photography: Julian Chocatto/Wired

I didn’t get to see the final polished designs from Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Instead, my demos were on patchy reference glasses from Samsung and Google. The most amazing thing about them is how lightweight they are. Google says much of the work it and Samsung have done has been aimed at miniaturizing the technology to save weight. However, the temples of the glasses are still a bit chunky.

The sound quality was equally impressive. Once I asked Jiminy to play a piece of Radiohead, the sound surrounded my head and sounded dynamic, even though I was in a quiet room. I had someone else try it so I could see if I could hear it at 50 percent volume while sitting across from them. I can barely hear the music.

The audio-only glasses will be the first to arrive later this year. And yes, all of these upcoming smart glasses — even audio-only glasses — have cameras. This is how your Gemini Assistant can see what you see to provide helpful, contextual answers and services. Versions with more advanced optics will provide a richer experience. For example, if someone speaks to you in a different language, the Gemini Assistant inside all the glasses can translate their voice and even make it voice Like a person speaking, but display versions of the glasses will provide accompanying text for reading as well.