Google takes a page out of Meta’s book, announces new audio-powered smart glasses at IO 2026

In a significant move, Google is re-entering the smart glasses market. During the Google I/O event on Tuesday, the tech giant unveiled a collaboration with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to create a new series of AI-enhanced eyewear. These innovative glasses are designed to be compatible with both Android and iOS devices, having been developed in conjunction with Samsung. Set to launch later this year, the new products, referred to as 'audio glasses' by Google, allow users to issue voice commands directly to the device. This functionality enables seamless interaction with various apps and services within the Google ecosystem, including their latest offering, Gemini. A demonstration showcased a Google employee ordering coffee simply by speaking to the glasses, highlighting the device's capability to execute tasks through voice activation. Google has a history with smart glasses, having previously introduced Google Glass, which became infamous for generating the term "glassholes." However, the landscape for smart glasses has evolved significantly since then. In recent years, major players like Meta, along with numerous startups, have made substantial investments in this technology, paving the way for new possibilities in augmented reality and wearable tech.