Latest news with #GoogleGlasses
News18
26-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Apple's AR Smart Glasses Could Launch In 2026: What We Can Expect
Last Updated: Apple is obsessed about competing with Meta in the smart glasses arena and its first product could roll out by next year. Apple's big AR push could now go into 2026 as new reports claim the company will bring its AR-powered smart glasses later next year. Apple is likely to keep things simple with these smart glasses and offer features that we have seen with the Meta Ray Ban smart glasses in the market. The report from Bloomberg, quoting an Apple employee, says the company is not likely to include this product in the Apple Vision lineup and have a new series for this category with toned-down AR features sprinkled with AI. The Apple AR smart glasses could be unveiled some time in late 2026 with the product available in the market by early 2027. Just like the Ray Ban glasses, Apple could adopt the same set of features to keep the price competitive. The device should have a camera and a mic so that you can record the surroundings and even enable music playback from the built-in speaker. However, Apple is tipped to add its own premium signature design and materials which will make it lightweight and easy to wear. The smart glasses are definitely coming into their own with the advent of AI and it seems Apple wants a big piece of this segment. Apple's CEO, Tim Cook is apparently obsessed with the product and more than AI, he is focused on making this device become a success. Apple clearly sees Meta as its closest rival in this space even though Google and Samsung have their own Android XR plans coming through later this year. But Cook is said to be making his mission to beat Meta with its own AR smart glasses. 'It's the only thing he's really spending his time on from a product development standpoint," an earlier Bloomberg report highlighted his interest. Google Glasses can rise again thanks to GenAI and the sudden popularity of this product. The Meta smart glasses come for around $250 (Rs 21,250 approx) which makes it far more accessible and appealing than the $3,299 priced Vision Pro headset. We are hoping that the company finds the right balance between its design, hardware and performance to deliver a product that not only excites the consumers but gives Apple some leverage in the market after its recent AI struggles. First Published: May 26, 2025, 10:25 IST
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Indian Express
I tried out Google's Android XR Glasses and I'm convinced this is the AI assistant I have been waiting for
For me, the most exciting part of the Google I/O keynote came right at the end — the Android XR announcements which included the return of what some of us remember as Google Glasses. So, when the chance presented itself to check out the Glasses at a demo zone, I queued up for the same without any hesitation. As I was in the queue, a representative of the Android XR team took away my glasses to scan them for their power. As I reached my turn at the demo a few minutes later, they had a custom lens ready for me. The Glasses, though a prototype, are comfortable to wear and not really heavy. They have an inbuilt camera, a touch-sensitive temple lined with speakers. The right lens had a small prism on which I could see the time and temperature. As you tap the temple, Gemini wakes up and is ready for your queries. You tap again to pause Gemini. My first demo was with a painting on the wall as I asked the Glasses to identify the painter. Soon, I could hear a detailed explanation on the painter, with the text of what Gemini was saying showing up on the in-lens display. This took some time for me to adjust to as I use progressive lenses to help me with reading too. But in a few seconds, I could see the text clearly, though this does come in the way of what you are seeing. I think a lot of users might prefer to be guided only by voice when they use the XR Glasses full time. Then I walked over to another demo zone where I was staring at a very unique coffee machine. I asked Gemini how I could make an Espresso with this contraption. The Glasses immediately started telling me how to use the machine. But this is where I found the text coming on the lens a bit of an irritant — again voice would be perfect in a situation where I just needed instructions. For the next demo, I asked the Android XR Glasses to summarise a page from a Lonely Planet travel guide. Again, it gave a quick summary about the Southern Alps which would have saved me a lot of reading. That's when I went off script and asked it to count the number of apples in a bowl on the table. 'Six apples,' came the answer. And it took me a while to realise Gemini was right as I thought there were much more apples there. In fact, there were four pears too and the Glasses did a good job of isolating and counting the apples. The demo lasted just a few minutes, but it left a lasting impression and made me feel the real power of having an AI assistant like Gemini being there to help you with everyday functioning. You can access any app on the phone, take photos, dictate replies to emails and messages. But what makes it even more powerful would be the power to remember everything the camera saw and not just what registered in your brain. Also, this could be like a rewind for your life, and you can technically go back a few days and remember where you left the locker key, or what exactly your friend told you during an argument. The possibilities are endless. And remember, what I used was a prototype, and the final product is sure to be much better. I am waiting to buy one, provided it can get my prescription glasses right. Nandagopal Rajan writes on technology, gadgets and everything related. He has worked with the India Today Group and Hindustan Times. He is an alumnus of Calicut University and Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal. ... Read More
