Google has officially re-entered the smart glasses market more than a decade after the failure of Google Glass, unveiling a new generation of AI-powered eyewear during its annual developer conference on Tuesday.
The tech giant introduced its upcoming “audio glasses” at the Google I/O event held near its headquarters in Mountain View, California, signalling a major push into wearable artificial intelligence technology.
The smart glasses are expected to launch later this year and will compete directly with Meta, whose Ray-Ban smart glasses have already become a major commercial success with more than seven million units reportedly sold.
Google’s latest glasses will feature a built-in microphone, camera and small speakers, allowing users to make phone calls, listen to music, capture photos and interact with the company’s Gemini AI assistant while on the move.
Although Google did not reveal an official release date or pricing details, the company showcased two separate collections developed in collaboration with American eyewear brand Warby Parker and South Korean fashion label Gentle Monster.
The technical development of the glasses was handled by Samsung, and the devices are expected to work with both Android and Apple smartphones.
For Google, the launch marks a highly anticipated comeback in a sector where it previously suffered one of its biggest product failures with Google Glass in 2013.
The original device, which featured an integrated camera, faced heavy criticism over privacy and surveillance concerns before eventually being discontinued.
This time around, Google appears to be focusing heavily on fashion and design in an effort to attract mainstream consumers and avoid the mistakes of the past.
However, privacy concerns are still expected to follow the new camera-equipped glasses, similar to criticisms previously directed at Meta’s smart eyewear products.
Google also confirmed it is continuing development on a more advanced version featuring a built-in display, similar to the latest smart glasses introduced by Meta in late 2025.
The company said the display-enabled prototype has progressed further in developer testing, though additional details remain under wraps for now.
