Google announced at Google I/O 2026 that it is launching a new category of intelligent eyewear powered by Android XR and Gemini, with audio glasses arriving later this fall. The company said the glasses are designed to provide hands-free assistance, contextual information and app integration without requiring users to constantly look at their phones.
According to Google, there will be two categories of intelligent eyewear: audio glasses, which provide spoken assistance through built-in speakers, and display glasses, which can visually present information directly in the wearer’s field of view. The first products launching this year will focus on audio-based experiences.
Google said it partnered with Samsung along with eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to develop stylish and comfortable frames intended for all-day wear. The company previewed several upcoming frame designs that will be included in broader collections from the eyewear brands later this year.
The glasses will support Gemini access through the “Hey Google” voice command or by tapping the side of the frame. Users will be able to ask questions about objects and locations around them, request assistance with tasks and receive contextual information in real time.
Google outlined several capabilities coming to the intelligent eyewear platform, including the ability to ask Gemini about nearby landmarks, restaurants, signs and objects in the environment. The glasses will also provide turn-by-turn navigation based on the wearer’s location and direction of travel.
The company said users will be able to manage phone calls, send text messages and receive summaries of missed messages directly through the glasses. Audio playback will be delivered through over-ear speakers designed to provide private listening experiences.
Google also announced photo and video capture functionality, including AI-powered editing features using Nano Banana. Users will be able to issue voice commands to capture images and apply creative edits automatically.
Additional capabilities include real-time language translation for speech and written text, along with support for multi-step AI task execution. Google said Gemini will be able to complete actions such as preparing a coffee order through DoorDash while leaving final confirmation to the user.
The intelligent eyewear will integrate with third-party applications including Uber and Mondly and will support pairing with both Android and iOS smartphones.
Google said more details about the intelligent eyewear platform and upcoming products will be shared in the coming months.
