Google's Eyewear Partners Can't Keep A Lid On Its Smart Glasses Plans

Gentle Monster announced that its version of Google's Android XR smart glasses will launch in December, with pre-orders opening on November 12. The date matches one Warby Parker appeared to share on Thursday. Google itself has yet to confirm either date.

Launch dates and partners

Warby Parker's Thursday post looked accidental. The project's partners are Gentle Monster, Warby Parker and Samsung, and the glasses are meant to compete with Meta's smart glasses and to revive Google Glass in some form. Until Google confirms the schedule, both dates rest on the two eyewear brands' own announcements.

Film teaser

Gentle Monster paired its announcement with a teaser for a short film directed by Jonathan Glazer, best known for Under the Skin and The Zone of Interest. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, who famously played a man who falls in love with an AI in Her. Gentle Monster says the full version will be available in mid-November. The teaser suggests the film will skew much more toward experimental cinema than a straightforward commercial.

Platform and product approach

Google's Android XR platform is designed to power experiences ranging from the mixed reality on the Samsung Galaxy XR to the augmented reality on the Xreal Aura. Gentle Monster and Warby Parker's glasses will provide a display-free, audio-first version of the operating system, while offering similar access to Gemini. It is not clear how this Intelligent Eyewear will be received, but Google appears to hope that packaging technology in a desirable brand can help counter backlash. With launches from both Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on the calendar, the answer may come soon.

Sources: Engadget