Google is working on two types of AI glasses and will release the first model in 2026, the company said in a blog post.
The model, scheduled for 2026, will be designed for “screenless assistance” and will feature built-in speakers, microphones, and cameras that will allow you to communicate with a Gemini chatbot, take photos, and get help.
Another model will feature a display that shows useful information “just when you need it” — such as directions or translations.
Google also introduced wired augmented reality (XR) glasses based on its new specialized Android XR operating system. The glasses will be manufactured by Xreal and will overlay digital content onto real-world objects.
For example, they will allow you to watch video recipes while cooking and to follow step-by-step visual instructions in the context of an appliance the user is repairing. Additional information about the launch of this model will be known next year.
Bloomberg notes that Google’s new products represent a more sophisticated and thoughtful approach to developing smart glasses than Google Glass, released about a decade ago, which was not widely popular due to its ambiguous design, rapid battery drain, and privacy concerns.