Google is expected to debut its AI-powered Android XR smart glasses, rivaling Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses. Google first teased the return of smart glasses at its I/O keynote in 2024 (remember Google Glasses?). Last year, the company showed off a Gemini-powered prototype version, which Abrar Al-Heeti, CNET's senior tech reporter, tested at Mobile World Congress. Al-Heeti was especially impressed by the Google Maps demo, which provided directions based on a picture she viewed through the glasses, as well as the ability to look at a vinyl album cover and ask Gemini to play a song from it. Sounds
Can Google Wow Us at I/O 2026? Here's What It Has to Get Right… Here's What to Expect 06:44 What will Google add to the smart glasses market? Google is expected to debut its AI-powered Android XR smart glasses, rivaling Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses . Google first teased the return of smart glasses at its I/O keynote in 2024 remember Google Glasses? . …
… The Samsung Galaxy XR is the first of a wave of VR and AR devices and glasses in Google's software ecosystem, and you should expect Android XR to eventually forge a bridge between Android phones and headsets and glasses, although it's hard to tell how fast that shift will happen. …
… Instead, Google I/O focused heavily on AI health tools, Gemini integrations , XR glasses and supporting hardware like the screenless Fitbit Air , a $100 band with no display, designed primarily as a gateway into Google's health ecosystem. …
… The company has long been teasing its Android XR tech , and it's worked with Samsung on its Galaxy XR mixed reality headset . It's given it the foundation it needs to build out its own Gemini-infused headsets and glasses . …