Tech giant Google, which rides under its parent company Alphabet (GOOGL), is jumping into the AI-powered smart glasses market through two exciting new partnerships.
Google has teamed up with Warby Parker (WRBY) and Gentle Monster. The announcement was made at the company’s Google I/O conference in Mountain View, California this week, where the tech giant also revealed it is expanding its existing collaboration with Samsung to include intelligent eyewear.
This strategic move positions Google in direct competition with Meta (META), which already offers its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Apple (AAPL) is also reportedly working on its own version, although, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s glasses aren’t expected to launch until 2027.
The global smart glasses market size was estimated at USD 1.93 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 27.3% from 2025 to 2030. Smart glasses are designed to enhance everyday life by providing various functionalities like audio, camera, and digital displays, often in a more convenient form factor than traditional devices. They can also offer accessibility features for individuals with visual impairments or disabilities.
Google’s upcoming smart glasses will function alongside your smartphone, much like Meta’s, and will feature built-in cameras, speakers, and microphones—allowing users to access apps hands-free. They will be powered by Google’s Gemini AI models.
The glasses will operate on Google’s new Android XR platform and offer an optional in-lens display. This display will provide useful features such as reading text messages, offering turn-by-turn navigation, capturing photos, and delivering real-time language translation.
Google says it plans to collaborate with hardware partners to begin developing the glasses later this year. It will also work with early testers to refine the product and address concerns around usability and privacy.
As part of the collaboration with Warby Parker, Google has committed up to $75 million for Warby Parker’s product development and commercialization costs. In addition, Google has committed to investing up to $75 million in Warby Parker, at Warby Parker’s option and subject to reaching certain collaboration milestones.
“Since our launch we’ve set out to transform the optical industry by leveraging pioneering technology to design better products and experiences—and over the past 15 years, we’ve done just that,” said Warby Parker Co-Founder and Co-CEO Dave Gilboa. “Looking ahead, we believe multimodal AI is perfectly suited for glasses, enabling real-time context and intelligence to augment a wearer’s surroundings as they move through the world. We couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Google to bring together the best of AI and the best of eyewear.”
“We’re excited to work with Google to develop intelligent eyewear that will enhance our everyday lives. The eyewear we wear and the technology we use are core parts of our identity and our daily experience. Our teams share a commitment to leverage design, utility, and innovation to build products to help customers in every aspect of life,” added Co-Founder and Co-CEO Neil Blumenthal.
The companies are working closely on the development of future smart glasses and intend to launch a series of products over time. The partners’ first line of intelligent eyewear, planned to launch after 2025, will incorporate multimodal AI with prescription and non-prescription lenses.
“Warby Parker’s optical expertise, omnichannel approach, and history of leveraging technology to create beautifully designed products and exceptional customer experiences make them the perfect partner to co-create and launch this next generation of smart glasses on the Android XR platform,” shared Shahram Izadi, GM and VP of XR at Google.
Google has previously tried smart glasses before when it launched Google Glass in 2013 through its Explorer Program, followed by a public release in 2014. However, its high $1,500 price tag and futuristic design, including a prism-like display, failed to attract mainstream users.
Consumer perception has evolved since then, with more openness to wearable tech. Aesthetics are also a major factor—Meta’s Ray-Ban-style glasses resemble regular eyewear, whereas the original Google Glass looked more like something out of a sci-fi film.
Google’s new smart glasses are part of its broader push into augmented and virtual reality. In addition to its eyewear partnerships, it is collaborating with Samsung and Qualcomm (QCOM) on Samsung’s Project Moohan, which is expected to launch later this year.
Meanwhile, Gentle Monster is currently one of the most in fashion eyewear brands, worn by celebrities like Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Beyonce, and Billie Eilish.
As tech companies chase the next big thing beyond smartphones, smart glasses are emerging as a major area of focus. While these devices still rely on phones for processing and connectivity, advancements could soon make them more independent.
Meta may have an early advantage, but Google brings valuable insights from its earlier efforts. And Apple, with its track record of hardware innovation, is poised to be a formidable contender.
One has to wonder if consumers will ever embrace smart glasses the way that they did smart phones.
Pump Radar
Stock Alerts
