Google Returns to Smart Glasses With Gemini-Powered Eyewear

BBC Business reported Tuesday that Google is bringing back smart glasses for the first time since the infamous Google Glass experiment collapsed over a decade ago. The new eyewear will go on sale in autumn and will be powered by Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence assistant.

Google Reveals Glasses at Annual Developer Event

Google unveiled the product at its yearly developer conference in Mountain View, California. The frames house a small forward-facing camera. The arms contain compact speakers that pipe Gemini’s responses directly into the wearer’s ear.

Google executive Shahram Izadi described the experience as designed to keep users “hands free and heads up.” Responses are delivered as private audio rather than displayed visually. The glasses will be compatible with both Android and Apple iOS devices.

Two style collaborations were announced. One version was designed by eyewear brand Warby Parker and another by fashion label Gentle Monster.

A Separate Display Version Is in Development

Google is also working on a more advanced version of the glasses that will feature an in-lens display capable of showing text and other information. That product is not yet ready for release. Izadi said further details about the display model would follow later in 2026, and developer work on applications for that version is already underway.

Background: Google Glass and a Bruising First Attempt

Google Glass launched in 2013 and was pulled from sale in 2015, just seven months after its UK debut. The product drew fierce criticism over its price point and, more significantly, over the privacy risks posed by its camera. Those same concerns now trail competitors operating in the same space.

Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses have so far sold around seven million units according to the company. But reports of users unknowingly being filmed in public have reignited the privacy debate the original Google Glass sparked years ago. Snap is also preparing a new smart glasses release, and Apple is reportedly developing its own version.

Investors See Platform Potential

Christine Tsai, an investor at early-stage venture capital firm 500 Global, attended Tuesday’s event and described Google’s return to the category as constructive for both consumers and startups. She characterised smart glasses as the next major computing platform following the smartphone.

Developer Anil Shah, who is building an events app called tixfix.ai, said the glasses could serve as a hands-free gateway to Google services already embedded in daily life, including Maps and Voice. He said he was already considering building integrations for the new platform.

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