Google is taking another swing at smart glasses, and this time it wants you to forget you’re wearing them. The company has launched Intelligent Eyewear, a line of audio-and-camera glasses built with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster and designed to be worn all day.
Pre-orders opened on Thursday, November 12, with the glasses shipping and arriving in stores on December 10. Here’s what they do, what they cost and how they compare with what’s already out there.
Glasses first, gadget second
According to 9to5Google, Intelligent Eyewear is meant to be worn all day rather than leaning heavily on sunglasses styles, as some rivals do. The frames weigh 40 to 44 grams, with the weight balanced evenly across the face.
The glasses work with both Android phones and iPhones, which widens the potential audience beyond Google’s own Pixel users.
What’s inside
Despite the slim frames, there is a lot packed in:
- Camera: a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera for photos and video, recording at 3K 30fps or 1080p, with image stabilization and HDR processing.
- Microphones: four mics that capture spatial audio, with noise cancellation that Google is especially proud of.
- Audio: two open-ear speakers, so you can hear music, calls and Gemini without blocking out the world around you.
- Controls: a touchpad on the frame that responds to taps and swipes, plus voice commands.
- Battery: a 245mAh battery rated for about nine hours on a charge, with a charging case that holds seven full recharges.
The glasses charge through contact pins on the underside of the nose bridge when they’re in the case.
“Hey Gemini”
The big software story is Google’s AI assistant. With Intelligent Eyewear, Google is debuting a new “Hey Gemini” wake phrase, so you can ask questions, get help or control features hands-free.
There is no display in the lenses. These are audio glasses with a camera, so Gemini talks back to you rather than showing information in front of your eyes. That keeps the frames lighter and more like regular glasses.
The styles and prices
Two eyewear brands are launching collections:
Warby Parker offers three styles, Alden, Reid and Wren, in 14 variations inspired by what the company calls its most beloved silhouettes. Prices start at $395 for optical and sun styles, in colors including Pine, Saddle and Jet Black.
Gentle Monster has six frames in bolder colors such as dark red, pink, gray and yellow, with 16 total variations. They can be paired with tinted, clear, blue or brown lenses, and prescription options are available for most designs. Prices start at $449, and the line will be available in the U.S. and South Korea.
How it fits the smart glasses race
Smart glasses have become one of tech’s hottest categories, with Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses showing that people will wear cameras and speakers on their faces if the frames look good. Google’s approach leans on fashion partners and prescription support, betting that people want glasses they’d wear anyway, not a gadget that looks like one.
This is Google’s second major attempt at the category after Google Glass more than a decade ago, and the difference in design philosophy is striking. Where Glass was conspicuous, Intelligent Eyewear is built to blend in.
Things to consider
Camera glasses raise privacy questions for the people around the wearer, and buyers should be thoughtful about where and when they record. It’s also worth remembering that nine hours of battery is a rating; real-world life will depend on how much you use the camera and Gemini.
The takeaway
Google’s Intelligent Eyewear brings Gemini, a capable camera and open-ear audio to frames that look like normal glasses, with prescription options and two very different style collections. If you’ve been waiting for smart glasses that don’t scream “tech,” this launch is worth watching when they arrive December 10.
Image: Eyeglasses Eyewear by Monty A via StockSnap, CC0 1.0
