In a groundbreaking announcement at the 2025 I/O developer conference, Google introduced Android XR, an innovative extended reality platform designed to seamlessly integrate its cutting-edge Gemini AI into wearable devices, including smart glasses and headsets. This marks a significant step forward for the company, as it showcases its first eyewear since the controversial launch of the Google Glass smart glasses in 2023.
During the event, Shahram Izadi, Vice President and General Manager at Android XR, emphasized the importance of portability and quick access to information. "When you're on the go, you'll want lightweight glasses that can give you timely information without reaching for your phone," he stated. This vision for Android XR is to provide users with a hands-free experience that enhances mobility while delivering essential data.
Google initially announced Android XR in December 2024, just eight months after Meta unveiled its updated Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses. This timeline reflects the intensifying competition in the wearable AI market, as tech giants race to innovate and capture consumer attention.
Similar to Meta’s offerings, the Android XR glasses are equipped with a camera, microphones, and speakers, allowing for direct connectivity to an Android device. At the heart of these glasses is Google's flagship AI, Gemini, which delivers real-time information, language translation, and an optional in-lens display for timely updates. The presentation also highlighted the glasses' live streaming capabilities, photo-taking functions, and the ability to receive text messages while displaying Google Maps.
In an exciting demonstration, Google showcased how Gemini enhances exploration and navigation through immersive experiences. "With Google Maps in XR, you can teleport anywhere in the world simply by asking Gemini to take you there," Izadi explained. Users can engage with their AI assistant about their surroundings, pulling up relevant videos and websites to enrich their exploration.
While Google has yet to announce a specific release date or pricing for the Android XR glasses, Izadi mentioned that the eyewear will be made available through partnerships with reputable brands like Gentle Monster from South Korea and Warby Parker from the U.S. Additionally, a developer platform for Android XR is currently in the works, aimed at fostering an ecosystem of innovative applications and devices.
"We're creating the software and reference hardware platform to enable the ecosystem to build great glasses alongside us," Parker stated during the event. He also noted that prototypes of the glasses are already in use by trusted testers, with plans for developers to begin creating applications later this year.
As Google takes this significant leap into the extended reality space, the launch of Android XR promises to reshape how users interact with technology, blending the digital and physical worlds like never before.
