Google Glass 2.0 Incoming?
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon recently revealed that Qualcomm, Google, and Samsung are collaborating on a pair of mixed reality smart glasses, not a headset as many had expected. In an interview with CNBC, Amon explained that these glasses will seamlessly pair with smartphones and aim to be as accessible and wearable as regular eyeglasses or sunglasses, pushing for mass adoption of AR technology.
This news diverges from previous rumors suggesting the companies were developing a mixed-reality headset to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro. Instead, the focus is on lightweight, everyday glasses, similar to Google’s Project Astra, showcased at I/O 2024. These glasses are a shift away from bulky VR headsets like the Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro, designed for use primarily at home.
Amon cited Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip, as an example of the concept—glasses that link wirelessly to a smartphone but enhanced with Google AI. The generative AI component is key to these glasses, with Amon describing it as the “inflection point” for the product, integrating AI to run across the cloud, phone, and glasses, offering new user experiences.
This project also seems to build on earlier Google smart glasses prototypes, including Project Iris from I/O 2022. The full potential of the collaboration remains to be seen, but Amon’s comments give insight into the companies’ vision for the future of smart, AI-driven AR glasses.
Everything we know about the Samsung Google AR Glasses
- Not a headset: Contrary to earlier rumors, the device will be AR smart glasses rather than a bulky mixed-reality headset.
- Phone companion: The glasses are designed to pair seamlessly with a smartphone, enhancing the mobile experience.
- Everyday usability: Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon emphasized that the glasses aim to look and feel like regular eyeglasses or sunglasses, focusing on daily wearability.
- AI integration: Google’s AI, likely based on its Gemini AI model, will be embedded in the glasses, allowing for enhanced visual understanding and interactivity.
- Cloud-based operation: The AI will operate across the cloud, phone, and glasses, offering a more integrated and intelligent user experience.
- Inspired by Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses: Amon referenced the Ray-Ban smart glasses (powered by Qualcomm’s AR1 Gen 1 chip) as a similar concept—smart glasses wirelessly linked to a phone.
- Project Astra influence: The design is likely influenced by Google’s Project Astra glasses demoed at I/O 2024, which aims to move away from bulky VR setups.
- Potential culmination of previous projects: The glasses may build upon Google’s previous AR glasses prototypes, like Project Iris from I/O 2022.
- Focus on generative AI: Amon highlighted that generative AI will play a key role, creating new AR experiences through real-time data analysis and interaction.
