Apparently, Meta’s time as the sole smart glasses company is nearing its end. Today, Google’s Android XR, or Intelligent Eyewear, is now available for pre-order. The first two options are crafted by Gentle Monster, starting at $450, and Warby Parker, starting at $396.
In case you don’t recall what you can do with them. The wearables are powered by Google’s Gemini AI, which utilizes its cameras to recognize books, artwork, etc.; turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps; translate over 70 languages via Google Translate; and listen to notifications and music via its built-in speakers.
The Gentle Monster variant offers six designs in six colors, such as dark red, pink, gray, and yellow with tinted, clear, blue, and brown lenses. While Warby Parker’s offering includes three designs, Alden, Reid, and Wren, all based on the company’s current options. All models are quoted with up to 9 hours of battery life standalone, and its charging case can replenish up to seven times in total.
If you’re concerned about privacy, Google is aiming to be the lesser evil by making it a focus rather than a byproduct here. For starters, you have an LED light so people are aware of you potentially recording them, blur bystanders’ faces for photos, and not save images to your Gemini history—all of which provides Google’s smart glasses a noticeable leg up against the Meta Ray-Bans.
The Intelligent Eyewear will be available in stores and online on December 10. Pre-orders are available at Gentle Monster and Warby Parker locations, with demos available soon at select locations.
