Google plans to debut its first AI-powered eyewear in 2026, challenging Meta Platforms in the consumer market for AI smart glasses. Google’s inaugural AI glasses will come in two styles. The audio-only model features built-in speakers, microphones and cameras “to let you chat naturally with Gemini, take photos and get help.” Another style features an in-lens display and can show things like navigation. As previously announced, Google is working with partners Samsung, Xreal, Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to create “stylish, lightweight” smart glasses that can be comfortably worn all day. Continue reading Google to Launch Xreal Project Aura Smart Glasses Next Year

Meta Platforms has acquired AI wearables firm Limitless, a five-year-old startup based in Denver. Limitless’ key product is an AI-powered pendant that records audio and generates summaries. “We’re excited that Limitless will be joining Meta to help accelerate our work to build AI-enabled wearables,” Meta said via a statement. Meta has had success in the wearables space with its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which feature a Meta AI digital assistant. Meta’s further push into AI devices that consumers can use casually in everyday situations comes as the company reportedly considers downsizing its metaverse investments. Continue reading Meta Platforms Acquires Limitless, a Startup in AI Wearables

Amazon has developed smart glasses to help its delivery drivers navigate the world more efficiently, improving navigation, identifying hazards and having instant access to cargo data. The wearable was “designed and optimized with input from hundreds of Delivery Associates (DAs), drivers who work for Delivery Service Partners (DSPs)” and use “advanced computer vision processing and AI integration for seamless driver experiences,” according to Amazon. The eyewear helps DAs scan packages, follow turn-by-turn walking directions and capture proof of delivery — all without the help of a phone, creating a hands-free documentation experience. Continue reading Smart Glasses Use AI to Help Amazon Drivers with Deliveries

Samsung debuted its Galaxy XR headset with news that it is on sale now in the U.S. and Korea for $1,799. Developed by Samsung, Google and Qualcomm, the headset runs on the new Android XR operating system, which Samsung EVP of Customer Experience Jay Kim said at Tuesday’s virtual launch event will steer “a new category of devices” powered by Google’s Gemini AI that “uses visual data, voice input and sensors in real time,” making it truly multimodal. Kim said Samsung’s vision for this new “spectrum of XR devices” includes four form factors: headsets, wired and wireless XR glasses, and AI glasses. Continue reading Samsung All-In on Head Gear Starting with $1,799 Galaxy XR

Meta Connect just wrapped after showcasing the company’s latest offerings in XR, Meta AI wearables, and more. The long-awaited reveal of the Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses confirmed they are the first Meta glasses with a built-in high-resolution HUD color screen and use an EMG wristband for controls. Meta’s high-performance sports eyewear got an upgrade with the Oakley Meta Vanguard, offering Garmin and Strava integration and video recording in 3K Ultra HD. The Quest VR headset’s new beta feature, Hyperscape, was previewed, turning real-world spaces into virtual worlds. Also, the Quest now features a Horizon TV entertainment hub for streaming. Continue reading Meta Platforms Unveils New Smart Glasses and AI Wearables

Snap Inc. has released Snap OS 2.0 in advance of the release of its next-generation Spectacles AR glasses, due for release next year. The OS 2.0 XR operating system will power both the fifth and sixth generation Spectacles, the first that the company will market directly to consumers after years of selling AR glasses made for developers building AR experiences for the Snapchat app. The new OS aims to simplify content viewing and sharing with Spectacles as well as heightening Internet exploration via a native browser with WebXR support. Snap is still keeping details like pricing and the specific release date for the consumer Spectacles under wraps. Continue reading New OS Will Power Snap’s Upcoming Consumer AR Glasses

The Rokid Glasses set to ship in November boast something smart spec aficionados have been clamoring for — a screen built-into the lens. Set to retail for $600 ($700 including the charging case) the AR-equipped specs will likely be a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the new Ray-Ban Metas, expected to be the company’s first screen-equipped smart glasses. The word is they’ll be showcased at Meta Connect, September 17-18. The Rokid Glasses raised $900,000 within 48 hours of their global unveiling on Kickstarter, where those who pre-order receive a limited-time discount of 15 to 20 percent. Continue reading Rokid to Launch AR Smart Glasses Featuring Built-In Screen

HTC has entered the smart glasses space with its new Vive Eagle AI-powered eyewear. Since launching in 2016, HTC’s Vive VR headset has accrued an estimated 10 percent global market share — not nearly as much as Meta Quest MR and VR headsets (at 50 percent), Sony PlayStation or even the Apple Vision Pro, but a respectable berth from which to expand to everyday wearables. The Vive Eagle is fully voice controllable and lets users listen to music as well as capture photos and videos with a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The product is available for preorder in Taiwan for the equivalent of about $520. Continue reading HTC Enters Wearables Market with Vive Eagle Smart Glasses

Meta Platform reported another strong quarter, with profit up 36 percent to $18 billion on revenue of $47.5 billion, a 22 percent increase. Justifying to investors why the company spent billions restructuring AI operations as part of the new AI Superintelligence Lab and recruiting talent to run it, company CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized his desire “to build personal superintelligence for everyone in the world.” Zuckerberg said he believes AI superintelligence “has the potential to begin an exciting new era of individual empowerment.” Meta plans to more than double spending to build AI infrastructure, including server-filled data centers, and initiatives supporting model training and cloud computing. Continue reading Meta Profit Is Up 36 Percent, Fueling Superintelligence Race

Meta Platforms has purchased artificial intelligence voice technology startup PlayAI for an undisclosed sum. The entire PlayAI staff will segue to Meta this month, reporting to Johan Schalkwyk, who was recently hired by the social giant from another voice startup, Sesame AI. Co-founded at Y Combinator by Mahmoud Felfel and Hammad Syed, PlayAI launched with a Chrome plugin that delivered audio versions of printed articles, later evolving into a broader AI voice platform. The main product, the Play 3.0 model, supports more than 30 languages and enables the quick creation of voice agents for things like sales and customer support. Continue reading Meta Platforms Acquires Real-Time Voice Tech Startup PlayAI

Underscoring its commitment to smart glasses, Meta Platforms has reportedly invested $3.5 billion in EssilorLuxottica SA, the world’s largest manufacturer of eyewear. The move gives Meta around a three percent stake in the Paris-headquartered firm, and expands an existing relationship for brand deals that resulted in the casual Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses released in 2021 and an athlete-focused Oakley Meta HSTN AI line announced last month. Neither Meta nor EssilorLuxottica has publicly commented on the equity buy-in yet, though it has been reported Meta may increase its stake to five percent. Continue reading Meta Investing $3.5B in Smart Glass Partner EssilorLuxottica

Xiaomi AI Glasses are the Beijing-based company’s first smart glasses to include a camera. Equipped with a 12MP Sony IMX681 point-of-view camera that captures 2K video at 30 fps, the new glasses also support real-time live-streaming and first-person video calls. Notable features include a 263mAh battery that Xiaomi says delivers 8.6 hours of mixed use and an electrochromic shaded lenses option that allows the wearer to control the tint. The clear-lens model starts at $280, while those with grayscale electrochromic shaded lenses start at $380. Colored electrochromic lens models begin at $420. Continue reading Xiaomi AI Glasses Tout Electrochromic Lenses and a Camera

Meta Platforms has debuted a new “performance AI” smart glasses line with Oakley, the sports brand owned by global eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica. The move builds on Meta’s existing partnership with Ray-Ban, another EL brand. Starting at $400, the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses are targeting athletes with 3K video recording for POV capture — kind of like the GoPro of eyewear. Promising eight hours of battery life, the glasses also play music and provide notifications. A limited-edition $400 version of the Oakley Meta HSTN is available for preorder on July 11 with the rest of the collection dropping “later this summer.” Continue reading Meta and Oakley Target Athletes with AI Smart Glasses Line

Qualcomm has made no secret of its belief that smart glasses are going to be a significant future product, and during the Augmented World Expo in Long Beach, California this week, the chipmaker shared its vision for the sector, demonstrating eyewear using its new Snapdragon processor. According to the company, the AR1+ Gen 1 is 26 percent smaller than earlier chips and runs artificial intelligence tools independent of Internet or smartphone connectivity. Qualcomm’s goal is to help smart glasses become “fully independent devices” that can do processing and complete agentic tasks with or without connectivity. Continue reading Qualcomm Chip Could Be a ‘Breakthrough’ for Smart Glasses

Snap Inc. announced it will launch a “lightweight, immersible” consumer line of AR smart glasses called “Specs” in 2006 (breaking from its “Spectacles” branding). Announcing the sixth-generation of its glasses at the Augmented World Expo conference this week, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel said the eyewear offers “an ultra-powerful wearable computer integrated into a lightweight pair of glasses with see-thru lenses.” Spiegel explained the glasses will be untethered, which suggests they may be powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 chip, also announced at AWE. Coming a decade after Snap’s first attempt at consumer AR glasses, Specs leverage a $3 billion investment in 11 years of R&D. Continue reading Snap to Launch Specs Consumer Smart Glasses Line in 2026