Google plans 2026 debut for its first AI-powered smart glasses

Google, in collaboration with Warby Parker, plans to launch its first AI-powered smart glasses in 2026, marking a significant reentry into the augmented reality (AR) and wearable computing market. This partnership, announced at The Android Show | XR Edition, signals Google's renewed ambition to compete with established players like Apple and Meta, who have advanced their own smart eyewear and mixed-reality devices. The glasses aim to be lightweight, stylish, and AI-enabled, designed for everyday wear, though specific details on pricing and battery life remain undisclosed. The upcoming smart glasses will leverage Google's Gemini AI model integrated with the Android XR ecosystem, enabling multimodal interactions—allowing the device to see, hear, understand context, and respond naturally. Google envisions two categories: AI glasses functioning as intelligent, screen-free assistants with speakers, microphones, and cameras, and Display AI glasses featuring in-lens displays for private, heads-up information like navigation and translations. Partnering with brands such as Samsung and Gentle