Google unveils plans to try again with smart glasses in 2026

Google plans to launch sensible glasses powered by synthetic intelligence (AI) in 2026, after its earlier high-profile try and enter the market resulted in failure.

The tech big set expectations excessive in 2013 when it unveiled Google Glass, billed by some as the future of technology regardless of its odd look with a cumbersome display screen positioned above the correct eye.

Google pulled the product in 2015 lower than seven months after its UK launch, however is now planning on re-entering the market with sensible glasses with a cleaner look.

However it comes after Meta has already made waves with its sensible specs, which have offered two million pairs as of February.

Google’s new tech will let customers work together with its personal AI merchandise, corresponding to its chatbot Gemini.

It plans to launch two completely different varieties – one designed to be present help with none form of display screen, and one other which has a show on the glasses themselves.

Whereas saying the primary of the 2 varieties of AI glasses it’s engaged on would are available 2026, Google has not given extra info on what kind it can take.

Expertise analyst Paolo Pescatore instructed the BBC the tech agency “should keep away from the pitfalls of its earlier failed try”.

“Arguably, the transfer was forward of its time, poorly conceived and executed,” he mentioned.

“Now represents an opportune second, because of the success of Gemini.”

Google may also must cope with Meta, which unveiled its personal AI-powered glasses earlier this 12 months, having constructed on its current collaborations with luxurious eyewear manufacturers Ray-Ban and Oakley.

In keeping with market analysis agency Counterpoint Analysis, the sector noticed a surge within the first half of 2025, pushed by demand for Meta’s units and the launch of comparable merchandise by smaller manufacturers.

It mentioned gross sales of AI glasses had grown by greater than 250% in comparison with the earlier 12 months.

Google Glass was launched in 2013 as a pair of skinny, wireframe glasses with a chunky proper arm to accommodate a digital camera constructed into the nook of the correct lens.

Wearers may use the digital camera to take pictures and document their environment, whereas concurrently work together with a digital show

The machine created numerous pleasure when it first appeared at a Google occasion in June 2012.

However after its launch the next 12 months, issues about its affect on privateness, potential for abuse and questions on its type and usefulness arose – and grew till Google Google said it would stop making them in that kind in 2015.

A revamped model, Google Glass Enterprise, appeared two years later however was retired in 2023.

Former BBC Expertise Correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones was amongst those that had deemed Google’s machine in its preliminary kind to be “a failure”.

The success of so-called wearable computer systems, he wrote, would probably rely upon having the tech to carry their potential to life and them being “each enticing to put on and really easy to make use of that you just overlook that you’ve got them on”.

As we speak, tech giants have tried to make AI and sensible glasses extra wearable by partnering with designer eyewear manufacturers – and may pack extra energy and options into smaller, sleeker frames.

However there stay issues about privateness and value.