Google Glass (now discontinued) on display at the company’s headquarters in California. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Google showcased its new smart glasses as part of its effort to demonstrate the next generation of computing platforms beyond smartphones and computers.
The augmented reality glasses, currently a prototype with no official name, were worn by Android XR head Shahram Izadi and Google product manager Nishtha Bhatia at the TED Conference in Vancouver last week. The prototype glasses, powered by the company’s Android XR platform, featured tiny displays that can overlay graphics on transparent glass. They were connected to a smartphone and deeply integrated with Google’s Gemini AI. On stage, Izadi demonstrated live translation from Farsi to English, scanning a book, and other capabilities.
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There is no release date for these AR glasses, but it does show that Google has made progress in designing a high-tech pair of smart glasses on its own—similar to its peers in Silicon Valley. Demos of the Google glasses offer insight into the company’s growing confidence in the technology, even though the prototype was only shown live to a select group of people.
For years, the tech industry has been trying to crack the smart glasses market, with billions of dollars invested in research and development. In September of last year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg teased an augmented reality prototype called Orion. A week earlier, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel took the stage at the annual Snap Partner Summit to introduce its AR-powered, fifth-generation Spectacles. Both companies see the potential of AR technology and share a vision of moving beyond the smartphone era and into smart glasses.
Over a decade ago, Google was the first to launch a pair of AR glasses with Google Glass in 2013, but the product faced numerous challenges and was ultimately discontinued. Microsoft also tried its hand at AR technology with its HoloLens headset in 2015, but the company was struggling at the time. When the headset shipped to developers in 2016, it wasn’t nearly as impressive as its initial demo. It was an early sign that perfecting the AR experience into a headset that is lightweight, accessible, and comfortable to wear would take years.
Apple, however, has yet to confirm whether it is developing AR glasses internally. The company did launch a mixed-reality AR/VR headset, the Vision Pro, last year for $3,500. Despite being a technical breakthrough, the device has received a lukewarm commercial response.
While Google, Meta, and Snap are all showcasing AR glasses prototypes, they are likely still years away from bringing these devices to market. The technology remains too costly to mass-produce AR glasses that are accessible to the average consumer.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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