At a recent TED Talk, Google unveiled a prototype of its Android XR-powered smart glasses, marking the product’s first public demonstration before a large audience. The reveal suggests that the company may be gearing up to take the next major step in the development of its wearable tech.
The smart glasses feature an integrated Gemini assistant, which was put through its paces during the live demo. The presenter first asked Gemini to identify a white book located on a shelf behind her, and the AI responded with the correct title almost instantly. She then inquired about the location of her missing hotel key card—again, Gemini successfully delivered. The final showcase involved real-time navigation, with walking directions projected directly onto the lenses’ built-in display.
Though still in the prototype phase, the glasses impressed with their smooth user interface and intuitive functionality. Visually, they resemble standard eyewear and are considerably more compact than Meta’s XR glasses developed in partnership with Ray-Ban.
With Apple, Meta, and Samsung all making significant investments in the smart glasses space, Google’s latest move signals a strong commitment to establishing itself as a major player in the next generation of augmented reality technology.
