Google opens pre-orders for smart glasses with built-in privacy safeguards

Google has launched its new smart glasses, opening pre-orders for sets made in partnership with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Prices range from around $400 to $500 across various colors and styles, though shipment dates remain unclear. [1][2]

The eyewear features Gemini AI, which uses the onboard camera to analyze the user's surroundings. Google says visual inputs are not saved to Gemini history, and the glasses automatically redact the faces of bystanders before the artificial intelligence processes any video. To alert the public, an LED indicator illuminates during recording; built-in sensors halt capture if the light is covered or tampered with. The frames also feature four directional microphones to focus on the wearer's voice and assist with real-time translations. [1][2]

Activation requires an 18-plus Google account, and the devices are also compatible with iOS. Facing ongoing public scrutiny over competitor camera glasses from companies like Meta, Google aims to rebuild consumer trust in wearable technology, according to XR lead Juston Payne. [2]