Google previews XR smart glasses co-developed with Samsung and Gentle Monster

The AI-powered prototype hints at Google’s big bet on ambient computing — again

At Google I/O 2025, the company gave the world its first look at a prototype of its next-gen mixed reality (XR) smart glasses, developed in collaboration with Samsung and Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster.

The prototype marks Google’s return to the smart glasses arena more than a decade after the launch — and eventual flop — of Google Glass. This time, it’s betting on AI to make the experience useful. The glasses are equipped with Google’s Gemini AI model, which enables real-time translation, contextual understanding via the onboard camera, and augmented navigation overlays, all displayed through a transparent heads-up interface.

The unveiling comes months after Samsung confirmed the partnership at its Galaxy Unpacked event in January. While Samsung is leading on hardware and Gentle Monster is handling the design, the I/O demo was the first time the hardware was publicly shown.

Google demonstrates its XR glasses during Google I/O 2025 on May 20, 2025./Oh Rora

In a live demo, the glasses projected floating visual overlays onto the user’s field of vision — including Google Maps directions and real-time translation bubbles in conversation. The AI was also able to recognize past interactions and objects. For example, when asked, “What was the coffee brand I drank earlier?” it recalled and answered accurately. Follow-up requests like “Show me how to get to that café” triggered a heads-up navigation display.

While the demo faced a brief hiccup due to connectivity issues, the audience responded with applause. Google says it plans to officially launch the XR smart glasses by the end of the year, aiming to push ambient AI one step closer to the mainstream.

If successful, the product could extend the synergy between Google and Samsung — best known for their Android smartphone collaborations — into the rapidly evolving XR space, where Meta and Apple are also racing to define the future.

Google announces an expanded partnership with Samsung, extending from headsets to smart glasses, during Google I/O on May 20, 2025. /Oh Rora