Google and Samsung have officially introduced their collaborative smart glasses, known as Intelligent Eyewear, powered by the new Android XR software platform. The devices combine Samsung’s hardware engineering with Google’s software capabilities, while fashion brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster handle the design and retail distribution.
Design and Availability
The first models are available for preorder ahead of official sales starting on December 10. Warby Parker offers three frame styles—Alden, Reid, and Wren—starting at $395, while Gentle Monster provides six designs starting at $449, with various color, tint, and prescription options available for most frames. Kering Eyewear has also signed on to produce Android XR glasses in the future.
The hardware is identical across both brands, weighing 41 grams with a nine-hour battery life and an included charging case capable of seven full recharges. The glasses feature a 12-megapixel camera with a visible LED recording indicator, a physical button for photos and 90-second 3K videos, and a touch-sensitive temple piece for audio volume and Gemini activation. They require specific smartphone models at launch, including the Pixel 7 or newer, select Galaxy devices running One UI 9.0 or higher, and the iPhone 13 Pro or newer, with expanded compatibility planned for 2027.
Gemini Integration and Features
The glasses are the first devices to support the “Hey Gemini” wake phrase, positioning them as a Gemini-forward experience according to Juston Payne, Google’s senior director of product management for XR. Users can converse freely through a “Gemini Live” experience, ask questions about their surroundings, play music, take calls, and receive audio navigation via Google Maps. Additional capabilities include automatic language translation, Guided Vision accessibility features, and real-time visual support through a collaboration with Aira.
To address privacy concerns, Google implemented tamper detection that stops recording if the indicator light is blocked. Visuals captured for Gemini queries are not saved in user history, used for AI training, or applied to targeted ads, and the system automatically redacts surrounding faces before processing data.
While display-equipped models are currently being tested by non-Googlers for future release, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster are launching pop-up experiences in New York City this week. These pop-ups allow consumers to test the glasses and experience Gemini’s capabilities firsthand.
