Google's upcoming smart glasses, showcased at the Google I/O 2026, will offer two types: audio glasses providing spoken assistance and display glasses for visual information.
"They are designed to give you all-day help with Gemini that's spoken into your ear privately rather than shown on a display," said Shahram Izadi, head of Android XR products.
The audio glasses will launch first, featuring the ability to manage calls, send texts, and snap photos—all while providing turn-by-turn navigation.
Google aims to redefine wearables with stylish designs crafted alongside Warby Parker and Gentle Monster.
According to Google, the glasses utilize Gemini AI, allowing users to gain,
"real-time translations with audio that matches the tone and pitch of the speaker's voice." The initiative comes more than ten years after the initial Google Glass faced backlash around price and privacy, leading to its discontinuation in 2015.
Despite the challenges in the wearable market, experts view the launch as a potential boon for startups and consumers alike, with opportunities for building more capabilities on this platform.
On the prospect of the glasses, investors are looking closely at this innovative step during the upcoming AI era.
Sources: 
Google is set to relaunch smart glasses this fall, introducing audio and display options powered by its Gemini AI. These glasses, developed in partnership with Samsung, Warby Parker, and Gentle Monster, aim to provide hands-free assistance and real-time information, marking a significant comeback after the Google Glass flop.
