Google Shows Off Android XR Smart Glasses With In-Lens Display

[MacRumors]

Google today showed off a set of lightweight smart glasses that have deep Gemini integration and an optional in-lens display that can offer up relevant information like turn-by-turn directions.

Made to rival the Meta Ray-Bans and smart glasses coming from Apple in the future, Google's XR glasses feature a camera, microphones, and speakers. They connect to a smartphone for app access, and with Gemini integration, the glasses can answer questions about the wearer's surroundings, provide directions, and offer up live translations.

Gemini is able to use the cameras in the glasses to see what's around the wearer to provide feedback, and Google says the glasses will "see and hear what you do" so they'll understand context and "help you throughout your day." On stage at Google I/O, Google executives demonstrated how the Android XR glasses will be able to send messages to friends, make appointments, snap photos, and translate conversations in real-time.

Google plans to work with companies like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to create stylish smart glasses that consumers will want to wear.

Article Link: Google Shows Off Android XR Smart Glasses With In-Lens Display

 

[NeonNights]

This is what AVP should've been. Smartglasses offer a better convergence of tech and personal style than Apple's mixed reality headgear.

My Meta Ray Bans should arrive today and already can't wait to upgrade to Google XR next year.

 

[jz0309]

Google says the glasses will "see and hear what you do"

and collect and use the associated data to your benefit, eh, for Google's benefit of course ...

 

[spaxxedout]

This is what AVP should've been. Smartglasses offer a better convergence of tech and personal style than Apple's mixed reality headgear.

My Meta Ray Bans should arrive today and already can't wait to upgrade to Google XR next year.

Agree, but it’s good that visionOS will be more mature when it scales to glasses. The demo today was rough.

 

[NeonNights]

and collect and use the associated data to your benefit, eh, for Google's benefit of course ...

As if the 1B+ global iPhone users don't already use some form of apps or services from Google (Gmail, Gmaps, Drive, Docs, YouTube, Waze, Fitbit, etc.), Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus, etc.), and Amazon.

The Apple faithful love to parrot Apple's privacy policies, while simultaneously are guilty of using the very products from companies they despise. Let's not forget that Apple accepts Google's money to be the default search engine for Safari on Macs, iPads, and iPhones.

 

[211]

This is what AVP should've been. Smartglasses offer a better convergence of tech and personal style than Apple's mixed reality headgear.

My Meta Ray Bans should arrive today and already can't wait to upgrade to Google XR next year.

It would appear  Vision Pro is far more advanced than Android XR in its capabilities and doesn't need to be connected to your phone to work. However, the trade-off is the size and weight of it. If Apple sticks with it,  Vision, or a version of it, should reduce in size and weight, and that's what they're aiming for. Hopefully by that time, Apple will be ahead of the game, for the first time in a long time

 

[jz0309]

As if the 1B+ global iPhone users don't already use some form of apps or services from Google (Gmail, Gmaps, Drive, Docs, YouTube, Waze, Fitbit, etc.), Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus, etc.), and Amazon.

The Apple faithful love to parrot Apple's privacy policies, while simultaneously are guilty of using the very products from companies they despise. Let's not forget that Apple accepts Google's money to be the default search engine.

I don't know what caring about privacy and not wanting to get your data collected/used got eg target ads has to do with what "Apple faithful". At least I have a choice of what "services" from Google/Meta etc I actually use ...

 

[ThisIsMike]

This is what AVP should've been. Smartglasses offer a better convergence of tech and personal style than Apple's mixed reality headgear.

My Meta Ray Bans should arrive today and already can't wait to upgrade to Google XR next year.

Everything you see and hear is being sent to FB. Have fun with that.

AVP shouldn’t have been this, because AVP ISN’T this. AVP is a virtual reality headset. If your point is that Apple should have come out of the gate with smart glasses, totally valid, but, that said, those are on the way. And by the time Google releases these, they won’t be far behind.

Apple will keep working towards a pair of AR glasses, and these are all avenues towards these. I think they’ll be phenomenal- the product, the design, the OS.

What remains to be seen is can Apple meaningfully catch up on AI. Because if they don’t, the other stuff won’t matter. No one is going to buy a pair of smart glasses where the AI is Siri as it stand right now. I hope things look very different in another year or two on that front. Otherwise we may see Apple’s fortunes reverse dramatically.

 

[NeonNights]

and collect and use the associated data to your benefit, eh, for Google's benefit of course ...

I don't know what caring about privacy and not wanting to get your data collected/used got eg target ads has to do with what "Apple faithful". At least I have a choice of what "services" from Google/Meta etc I actually use ...

Do you honestly not see your own hypocrisy? In one comment you point out the privacy concerns, while the next comment highlights selective use of Google/Meta services. If someone (not you directly) is seriously concerned with privacy then they can't conceivably use any apps or services by Google/Meta/Amazon as they all collect user data. Let's be realistic, who can really say they live a Google/Meta/Amazon-free lifestyle?

 

[NeonNights]

Everything you see and hear is being sent to FB. Have fun with that.

AVP shouldn’t have been this, because AVP ISN’T this. AVP is a virtual reality headset. If your point is that Apple should have come out of the gate with smart glasses, totally valid, but, that said, those are on the way. And by the time Google releases these, they won’t be far behind.

Apple will keep working towards a pair of AR glasses, and these are all avenues towards these. I think they’ll be phenomenal- the product, the design, the OS.

What remains to be seen is can Apple meaningfully catch up on AI. Because if they don’t, the other stuff won’t matter. No one is going to buy a pair of smart glasses where the AI is Siri as it stand right now. I hope things look very different in another year or two on that front. Otherwise we may see Apple’s fortunes reverse dramatically.

Yes, but Apple smart glasses are still aways off in the horizon. Google/Samsung XR glasses are slated for early 2026 and Meta is reported to release in-display smart glasses later this year.

I would be interested in Apple smart glasses, for sure. But let Tim Cook sort out Apple Intelligence first before we get too excited about Apple "smart" glasses.

 

[jz0309]

Do you honestly not see your own hypocrisy? In one comment you point out the privacy concerns, while the next comment highlights selective use of Google/Meta services. If someone (not you directly) is seriously concerned with privacy then they can't conceivably use any apps or services by Google/Meta/Amazon as they all collect user data. Let's be realistic, who can really say they live a Google/Meta/Amazon-free lifestyle?

Amazon tracks my shopping history, no question, but so does every other online retailer. I can live with that part.
Google tracks my searches, no question, but I don't have to use their search, I've recently changed to DDG for that reason and do not use any other Google "services".
Meta, I stopped using FB ~ 10 years ago when my kids became adults, never signed up for anything else.

So, one can be Google/Meta/Amazon free if one chooses to.

But the thing with these glasses is: now Google sees what you are seeing and that opens a whole new other dimension, and with that a new/revised business model for Google.
I agree with you in that the (vast) majority of smartphone users don't care about privacy nor understand what happens with their data.

 

[tbayrgs]

It would appear  Vision Pro is far more advanced than Android XR in its capabilities and doesn't need to be connected to your phone to work. However, the trade-off is the size and weight of it. If Apple sticks with it,  Vision, or a version of it, should reduce in size and weight, and that's what they're aiming for. Hopefully by that time, Apple will be ahead of the game, for the first time in a long time

Disagree. Android XR as a platform will work with large headsets (go watch MKBHD’s demo of the Samsung prototype for an Apple Vision Pro analogue). What I saw in that demo already has surpassed much of what the Vision Pro is capable of doing, i.e. Gemini vs. Apple Intelligence.

Or scale down to smart glasses like those demo’d today at I/O. Yes, the demo was a little rough but they were also simultaneously trying to stream/broadcast it.

I’d wager a signficantly greater number of consumers would find smartglasses far more functional vs. how a heavy headset can be used. Hoping Apple can scale down the capabilities of the Apple Vision Pro to a smart glasses form factor will mean you’re waiting a very long time. Meanwhile, everyone else will have improved on the smart glasses form factor that they are already making available to the public.

 

[Dj64Mk7]

I realize the demo today was just a prototype, but watching it live, my mind was absolutely blown.

This is very clearly the XR form factor for everyday use, and it made me extremely giddy to hear that the presenter was using prescription lenses, since the prescription lens options for the Vision Pro stop short of my particular script, which automatically made it a dead in the water product for me.

Overall though, super impressive demo, even if very rough. Actually, I strongly appreciate that the mishaps occurred, because it proved that the demos were in fact live, and it brought a sense of authenticity to the show that Apple sorely needs to adopt again.

 

[eifelbube]

Google today showed off a set of lightweight smart glasses that have deep Gemini integration and an optional in-lens display that can offer up relevant information like turn-by-turn directions.

Made to rival the Meta Ray-Bans and smart glasses coming from Apple in the future, Google's XR glasses feature a camera, microphones, and speakers. They connect to a smartphone for app access, and with Gemini integration, the glasses can answer questions about the wearer's surroundings, provide directions, and offer up live translations.

Gemini is able to use the cameras in the glasses to see what's around the wearer to provide feedback, and Google says the glasses will "see and hear what you do" so they'll understand context and "help you throughout your day." On stage at Google I/O, Google executives demonstrated how the Android XR glasses will be able to send messages to friends, make appointments, snap photos, and translate conversations in real-time.

Google plans to work with companies like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to create stylish smart glasses that consumers will want to wear.

Article Link: Google Shows Off Android XR Smart Glasses With In-Lens Display

looking at that AR overlay on the photo makes me think that in the future cities can save a lot of money by not installing street signs anymore as they grow … and some people will not find places anymore with ease when they forgot to bring their AR glasses … oh my bARave new world

 

[Macalway]

Seems like there would be some interesting uses for this

 

[Rand0mUserNam3]

People wearing Google Android XR Glasses will be violating the privacy of everyone around them without consent.

 

[aUniqueName]

People wearing Google Android XR Glasses will be violating the privacy of everyone around them without consent.

People who install the Facebook app on their phone violates the privacy of everyone in their contacts without consent because Facebook gets all that data. Ever wonder why friend suggestions pop up and you are like "how the hell did Facebook know that I know them?" its because that other person has your phone number in their contacts on their smartphone and when they installed the Facebook app, Facebook got their entire contact list and all associated data.

 

[AndreDC]

Is it just me or is apple looking further and further behind. Here's hoping for a great WWDC. Fingers crossed.

 

[delsoul]

Great features but Google is the king of having everyone else do the dirty work for them then make money off those folks. You do all the navigation, you do all the searches, you do this and that…then they just kick back and are the ones that get paid for your hard work. Thanks, but no thanks

 

[delsoul]

People wearing Google Android XR Glasses will be violating the privacy of everyone around them without consent.

Maybe in Europe but in the US it’s assumed if you’re in public that anyone can take your picture if they want. It’s a matter of when you publicize it or make money off of it that you need their consent. Considering Google makes money off of every single user of their products from marketing and data harvesting, I wonder how Google can skirt that part.

 

[Sami13496]

Where are the glasses? I didn’t see any pictures. Just text.

 

[Will Co]

Everything you see and hear is being sent to FB. Have fun with that.

…

What remains to be seen is can Apple meaningfully catch up on AI. Because if they don’t, the other stuff won’t matter. No one is going to buy a pair of smart glasses where the AI is Siri as it stand right now. I hope things look very different in another year or two on that front. Otherwise we may see Apple’s fortunes reverse dramatically.

I think this goes to the heart of where we are right now with AI. At least it does for me. I’m holding out for an AI implementation that properly respects my privacy and which offers genuinely useful assistance that I can choose. I’m not interested in AI writing my emails for me or doing other creative tasks. But the right level of assistance, with proper privacy, would be my sweet spot. That means I want to be able to control where the AI surfaces in my devices rather than have it shoved down my throat.

I believe Apple will be the company that gets this right and if they do it will drive a new wave of sales for them in upcoming products like AR glasses.

I hope I’m right. If I’m not I do have a concern that they will begin to flounder.

 

[Piggie]

Agree, but it’s good that visionOS will be more mature when it scales to glasses. The demo today was rough.

Agree about the live demo aspect, but fair play to them for trying it and being honest about it being risky with a device still in development.
I give them huge probs for doing it this way.

Put it this way, I'm much rather a company be open, honest, and try and live demo, that the risk of not being perfect that one time everyone is watching.

Than to do what Apple does these days (unlike when Steve Jobs did the same live demo risky thing)
And do what Apple does now, which is to get teams of animators to create a video which fakes when they hope their product might be able to to in the future, as pass that off as an actual demo.

Which is exactly what they get caught out on for doing at last years WWDC when they all knew what they were showing was not real, and they just lied in the hope they would be able to match what they were showing (which they have failed to)

Being honest and failing when trying something risky will always get admiration from me.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Equipped with a camera, microphones and speakers, these glasses work in tandem with your phone, giving you access to your apps without ever having to reach in your pocket. And an optional in-lens display privately provides helpful information right when you need it.

^ This is the Way!

Hopefully Apple can make some version of this that is stylish and practical...

...once they've solved their problem with Siri/Apple Intelligence.

 

[lilkwarrior]

This is what AVP should've been. Smartglasses offer a better convergence of tech and personal style than Apple's mixed reality headgear.

My Meta Ray Bans should arrive today and already can't wait to upgrade to Google XR next year.

…Headsets are distinct and complimentary to glasses no different than laptops vs desktops. Many can justify and will have both (or benefit from both).

For portability, practicality, and versatility, spatial computing glasses makes more sense and will be sufficient for most just like laptops vs desktops.

Headsets like desktops have the form factor headroom for the most advanced, premium, and immersive spatial computing that will consistently exceed what the glasses form factor is capable of.

Like high-end laptops vs desktops, spatial
computing glasses that attempt to match the horsepower of headsets will cost more.

The Vision Pro equivalent in glasses form factor would cost thousands more.

Meta didn’t have a $10,000 XR glasses prototype due to malpractice.

Screens that are pixel-dense, bright (4000+) nits, and able to produce color well at an ideal level for spatial computing—especially at a prosumer level—is not trivial nor cheap.

Meta Raybans (having it for months) is apples and oranges to a Vision Pro not even having a display nor is even standalone with its core functionalities.