A decade after Google launched Google Glass to spectacular failure, it is trying again. And the world may be more receptive to what Google's online AI interpreter, Gemini, can do when plugged into your ear. At the Google I/O conference this week, I had a chance to try out a prototype version of Google's XR glasses. All of the eyewear talk coming out of I/O is a little confusing; Xreal and Google showed Project Aura, a wearable XR glass project discussed last year, and Google is partnering with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on connected glasses that will debut first in an audio-only mode, then add a small heads-up display in the corner of your vision at a later time.

I tried a Google prototype, manufactured by Samsung, that incorporates elements of the Warby Parker and Gentle Monster technologies. It is not a product, per se, but a vehicle to show off what Google hopes to accomplish in its new take on connected eyewear. Honestly, the whole thing still has an aura of unreality. Google's first connected glasses, Google Glass, first debuted in 2012 as Project Glass, and honestly don't feel that different from what the company showed off at I/O 2026, more than a decade later.

Why This Time Might Be Different

Attitudes towards smart glasses have completely changed. Google Glass wearers were derided as 'Glassholes,' especially those who recorded people using the Glass's onboard, outward-facing camera. Now, connected devices from Meta (formerly Facebook) have been somewhat bafflingly accepted by society, even with anecdotal reports of users still taking pictures and recording video after modifying the eyewear to disable a small LED that signaled a recording is in progress. Many people now wear smart glasses openly, and the stigma has faded.

Those recording capabilities are still built into Google's prototype, and I did not see or ask about whether a similar LED would be present in the final version. But the reason Glass worked — and I think the new Google glasses will, too — is that an AI assistant is still a handy tool to navigate the world. The difference now is that the technology has matured: the hardware is more comfortable, the software is smarter, and the public is more accustomed to wearing connected devices.

Design and Build Quality

Physically, the most important thing is that they felt normal. There was no additional weight or thickness, nothing to indicate that you were wearing anything other than a pair of sunglasses out in the bright California sun. From the front, there is a small circle that signals the presence of a camera, along with a small button along the right frame for snapping a photo. That right-hand side of the frame also includes a touch-sensitive surface upon which you can swipe and tap to trigger Gemini and control the volume of the small, integrated speakers. Those speakers were a little faint for the busy room where the glasses were demonstrated, but outdoors or in quiet environments they may be adequate.

Google did not answer questions about the hardware specs: battery life, the features of the display, camera resolution, and so on. And to be fair, I was not particularly interested in raw specs. The glasses are basically a way to push Google Gemini in front of you, replacing your phone. That is all a plus in Google's favor, in my book. Most of technology right now seems oriented toward reminding you that AI exists and encouraging you to use it. I would rather Gemini sit in the background and show up when I need it — and it does.

What Gemini Can Do in Connected Glasses

Gemini's role is to serve as a search engine of sorts if you need help explaining what ratatouille is, or how it is made. You can play songs from Spotify, or add a reminder to take the cat to the vet. But the glasses also allow Gemini an eye into the world, 'looking' at a concert poster and pulling up tickets, or explaining what sort of wine might pair with that dish you are planning for dinner. All of this gets piped into your eardrums via the speakers.

Granted, there is a modicum of convenience in it all. The glasses do not stand alone; they connect to your phone, which in turn connects to Wi-Fi or cellular data. You could pull out your phone and take a snap of a recipe just as easily. What the glasses do is simply eliminate the steps of fishing your phone out, unlocking it, opening the app, and so on. That seamlessness is a compelling value proposition, especially in situations where using your phone is awkward, like while walking or carrying groceries.

Some of the AI feels decidedly forced. Do I want to snap a photo with the glasses and then restyle it into an anime character? Absolutely not. But the glasses can do it, and even send the result to your phone or connected smartwatch. This is one of those features that appears to be there mainly to demonstrate the technology's potential, not necessarily to solve a real-world need.

Heads-Up Display and Privacy Concerns

The on-glass heads-up-display (HUD) is also simplistic, and that is fine with me. I am going to guess that most people will find the HUD most useful for popping up reminders or serving as a basic navigation aid. Though I was stuck in a large complex of buildings (the Shoreline Amphitheatre, adjoining Google's campus), the mapping feature seemed to just show me an overall map of my surroundings, rather than 'turn left in 100 yards' step-by-step directions. I think I would want that kind of precision, especially when navigating an airport, college campus, museum, or searching for a flat white in a new city.

Privacy remains a significant concern. The camera is always there, and though Gemini must be activated by tapping and holding the eyewear's button (with a wake word like 'Hey Google' intended for the final product), there is no clear indication if the camera can be used surreptitiously. I made sure to ask, and Google confirmed that no facial recognition is being built into the glasses. But the potential for misuse is real, and I am still a little hesitant about holding a close conversation with someone and then interjecting Gemini to add a reminder or ask a question. That, I think, is going to be a polarizing feature.

Battery Life and Hardware Limitations

Some of the hardware concerns will be real: battery life, mainly. Google has not disclosed any battery specs, but considering the need for connectivity, GPS, camera usage, and AI processing, the glasses may struggle to last a full day of heavy use. The integrated speakers are also a potential weak point; in a noisy environment, they may not be loud enough to hear Gemini's responses clearly.

Interestingly, in certain situations, I might actually like an AI-connected eyewear to take an even more active, always-on role. Audio guides at museums steer you through a curated list of exhibits, but imagine an AI popping up to relate a story about a painting after it noticed you glancing at it. There is definitely room for exploration here, and Google's partnership with museums or cultural institutions could be a natural fit.

So far, the prototypes are still rough around the edges, but the direction is promising. The shift from a camera-centric device that records the world to an AI companion that helps you interact with it is a smart one. As a general aid, Google's Gemini glasses do feel useful. Let us see how it all plays out when a final consumer version hits the market.

Source: PCWorld News