Google has unveiled smart glasses powered by Gemini and compatible with Android XR, with a planned release in Fall 2026.



Google announced details of its smart glasses, which are compatible with '

Android XR ,' an XR (cross-reality) OS jointly developed by Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm, at Google I/O 2026, held on May 19, 2026.

Intelligent eyewear with Gemini is coming this fall
https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/platforms/android/android-xr-io-2026/




The following are smart glasses being developed in partnership with the South Korean eyewear brand 'GENTLE MONSTER' for the Android XR project, which Google is pursuing in collaboration with Samsung.



Images of someone wearing GENTLE MONSTER's smart glasses have also been released.



The following are smart glasses developed in collaboration with Warby Parker, an eyewear brand from New York.



Here's what it looks like when you wear Warby Parker's smart glasses.



Google is calling its newly announced XR smart glasses 'intelligent eyewear.' According to Google, intelligent eyewear is glasses that provide the necessary information when needed without distracting the user, and there are two types: 'audio glasses' that provide voice support near the ear, and 'display glasses' that visually display necessary information on the lenses. The glasses that Google announced this time are audio glasses and are scheduled to be released in late fall of 2026.

Google's audio glasses allow you to access Gemini by saying 'OK Google' or tapping the side of the frame. You can ask Gemini about things you see to find out their names or look up store reviews, and the glasses can recognize your current location and orientation to provide directions. You can also manage calls hands-free, send text messages, and get summaries of missed messages.

Other features revealed include the ability to quickly take photos and videos, voice-to-text translation, and the ability to freely control apps by linking with a smartphone. Google's audio glasses are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones.

In addition, Google announced ' Project Aura ,' an Android XR-compatible smart glasses developed in collaboration with XREAL, in May 2025. Media representatives who attended Google I/O 2026 have shared their impressions of trying out Project Aura.

Gizmodo described Project Aura as 'a product that sits right between Google's newly announced audio glasses and Meta's Ray-Ban Meta, which are smart glasses without displays, and the immersive Galaxy XR headset. It offers a 'spatial computing experience' in a compact frame.' Below is a photo taken by Gizmodo of a device called the 'Computing Pack,' which, by connecting a cable extending from the left side of the glasses, allows users to operate a computer in empty space. Gizmodo said that hand tracking wasn't perfect, as the glasses sometimes failed to recognize hands, but it worked well enough, and they particularly enjoyed the immersive and intuitive gameplay.



Engadget assessed Project Aura as not as sophisticated as Meta's smart glasses, ' Ray-Ban Meta Display ,' but noted that it was lighter and more comfortable to wear. They also listened to a conversation between a Spanish-speaking Google employee and a Serbian-speaking colleague using the glasses' translation function, and the translation was seamless. However, they pointed out that the languages to be translated need to be downloaded to the smartphone in advance, which may make it unsuitable for quick translations.

Tom's Guide praises Project Aura's wide 70-degree field of view, calling it a 'generation-leading evolution in terms of immersion' after actually using it. He notes that while there is some edge blurring, it's cleverly minimized. He also talks about his experience manipulating the display in empty space, trying out a music production app that combines aerial drawing with Gemini's music production functions, and playing a tabletop RPG.

The release date and price of Project Aura were not revealed at Google I/O 2026.

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in Hardware, Posted by log1e_dh