Google has announced it will launch artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses in 2026. This comes over a decade after its first "smart glasses" model, Google Glass, was discontinued for consumers.

The company plans to release two distinct models to cater to different user preferences. One version will be a screen-free device focused on audio interaction, while the other will feature an integrated in-lens display.

A New Approach to Wearables

The glasses will be powered by Google's AI assistant, Gemini, allowing users to interact with their surroundings in new ways. The idea is users can ask questions about what they are seeing and receive real-time information through the device. The glasses will run on Android XR, Google's operating platform designed for "extended reality" wearables. (Source: techcrunch.com)

This initiative follows the early discontinuation of the original Google Glass in 2015, which faced criticism regarding its bulky design, high price, and significant privacy concerns. The new models aim for a more subtle and stylish appearance, though it's questionable if that was the most important reason the technology failed back then.

Entering a Growing Market

Google's re-entry places it in direct competition with Meta, which has found considerable success with its Ray-Ban smart glasses collaboration. According to reports, Meta has already sold two million pairs of its smart glasses, indicating a growing consumer interest in the wearable device sector. The overall market for AI glasses experienced substantial growth in the first half of 2025, with sales increasing by over 250% compared to the previous year. (Source: bbc.co.uk)

Concerns about the technology were reawakened after a "proof of concept" warning by tech enthusiasts who build a pair of custom glasses that used facial recognition to identify people in the street and retrieve information from their social media presence.

What's Your Opinion?

Do you believe consumers are ready to adopt smart glasses widely? What features would make AI glasses a must-have device for you? How can tech companies effectively address the privacy issues associated with wearable cameras?