Google is discreetly restarting its smart glasses project. Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai has given minimal details, but assures that the progress is exciting.
Google's augmented reality (AR) glasses development team is still adding or consolidating personnel, and the design is likely not finalized yet. Google is focused on expanding its Gemini AI user base, so the smartphone is currently the more effective delivery platform.
During this year's second-quarter earnings call, Pichai shared that he is very excited about Google's investment in its smart glasses and that the user experience had improved significantly over previous generations. Although smart glasses are an exciting emerging category, Pichai stated that smartphones will remain the key consumer experience device for the next 2-3 years.
This approach is noticeably more reserved compared to Google's prior enthusiastic promotion of smart glasses at the I/O developer conference in May. Pichai appeared cautious towards the topic.
In past earnings calls, Pichai rarely mentioned smartphones, considering Google's Pixel phone, with an annual shipment volume of just over 12 million units, contributes relatively little revenue compared to search and cloud divisions. However, smartphones are the most practical method to grow Gemini App usage, which may explain Pichai's emphasis on the Pixel.
In late 2024, Google released the Android XR system, continuing to work with Samsung Electronics. Google recruited talent from Meta and Apple, and is getting involved with supply chain companies, such as Quanta and GoerTek, to advance its smart glasses development.
In the past, Google followed Apple's lead for its phones and tablets. However, its smart glasses appear to be referencing Meta as the primary model. Google's smart glasses will feature a lens display, camera module, eye-tracking module, microphone array, speaker, and Gemini App integration, and will sync with Android phone apps. To cater to fashion preferences, different sizes and frame designs will be offered.
Under the Android XR ecosystem, Samsung's Project Moohan headset is the most advanced and is rumored to launch this fall. Google's smart glasses prototypes have appeared at I/O and other events, and they are rumored to launch at the beginning of 2026.
Article edited by Jack Wu
