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ELO Launches Sentinel XR Gaming Glasses Featuring 180" Virtual Display Technology
Esports

ELO Launches Sentinel XR Gaming Glasses Featuring 180″ Virtual Display Technology

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If you’re a tech junkie like me, then you know that XR glasses are finally reaching a maturity where you should sit up and take notice. A company called ELO (not related to Electric Light Orchestra) has showcased a new lightweight wearable they’re calling Sentinel XR Gaming Glasses that have some very impressive next-generation features that look like it’ll bump the big boys right off the podium. Let’s take a look:

The Sentinel XR Glasses: Portable 180″ Display

The Sentinel XR Glasses feature a 180-inch virtual Full HD display that delivers 1080p resolution to each eye at 120Hz refresh rate. The display size adjusts from 27 inches when positioned at 80 cm to 180 inches at 3 meters, offering larger viewing areas than competing products.

Electrochromic lenses toggle between full transparency and 99.7% blackout for adaptable viewing conditions

Wide 52° FOV powered by Sony’s latest 0.68” OLED modules, the largest available in XR glasses

Lightweight construction at under 80g with universal fit and adjustable diopter settings (0 to -5.0D)

Variable brightness with 10 adjustment levels

Universal connectivity via USB-C to Steam Deck, iPhone 15/16, Android devices, and Mac/PC 

The feature set in this is already impressive, but it’s what came next that made me sit up and take notice:

The OmniBase portable computing hub transforms the Sentinels into a fully independent system. Running Android OS, the device includes 128GB of internal storage with micro-SD card expansion capability for additional content storage.

Wait…local storage? You have my interest…

Core features: 

Wireless connectivity

with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for streaming and device pairing

Multi-platform support for cloud gaming platforms, streaming services, and retro gaming emulators

Independent operation that eliminates requirements for phone or computer connections

Integrated navigation controls for anchoring and adjusting virtual screen size and positioning

Portable charging capability with battery capacity to charge mobile devices up to 3 times

Ok – completely wireless, local storage, and standalone power? Now were talking. And now a controller on top of it? Suddenly you have an entirely standalone ecosystem:

The Vagabond V2 mobile controller provides console-grade gaming performance for portable devices. The controller features Hall Effect joysticks that eliminate drift issues and deliver precise analog control for extended gaming sessions.

Hall Effect joysticks for drift-free precision control and enhanced durability

Silent mechanical buttons for responsive input without noise

Passthrough charging to maintain device power during extended gameplay

Customizable back buttons for personalized control mapping

USB-C connectivity for low-latency connection across compatible devices

Layout options available in Xbox and PlayStation configurations

There’s also an optional dongle to add Bluetooth connectivity and external battery power to extend things even further.

Ambitious hardly covers this one. Throw in that the team intends to support the App Store, Google Play, Netflix Games, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and PlayStation Remote Play, as well as pretty much anything you can connect via USB-C that supports video out and these look like an absolute game changer. You enjoy that pun.

So the question now is “How much, and when?” I’ve got you covered:

Availability and Pricing

The Sentinel XR Ecosystem is launching on Kickstarter with exclusive pricing:

  • Sentinel XR Glasses :$429
  • Vagabond V2 Controller: $89
  • OmniBase Hub: $199

As for the “when” part, it’s sooner than you think – you’ll have these in your hands for Christmas with a November 2025 ship date.

There is a LOT of ambitious statements in Kickstarter, but it’s also pretty clear from the demonstrations that they are fairly far along in the development cycle that it’s not just a target the team is aiming for, but one they’re merely refining for launch.

There are a number of tiers for Kickstarter, with some solid discounts if you jump in soon. Tech nerds, take notice – this could be the portable screens for gamers on the go we’ve been waiting for.


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Rokid Max 2 AR glasses
Product Reviews

Rokid Max 2 review: good AR smart glasses thata ren’t quite great

by admin



Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Rokid Max 2: One-minute review

The Rokid Max 2 AR glasses are a solid pair of smart specs that are ideal for entertainment – watching films, and playing games – if you’re a fan of the big-screen experience, and especially if you’d like to take that experience on the go.

They boast a comfortable design which you can wear for hours, and while they’re generally very similar to rival smart glasses they do boast built-in myopia adjustment. Using a dial above each lens you can adjust the screens to suit a prescription in the 0.00D to -6.00D range without the need for add-on lenses.

This factor alone will be enough to win over some who have been frustrated by the difficulty of getting prescription lenses for other smart glasses.


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Performance-wise they sit in the middle of the pack, with a solid 600-nit full-HD image from their 120Hz OLED displays. At a 50-degree field of view they can produce a large virtual screen, though their rivals can offer bigger.

What’s more, their audio is only, in a word, fine. You could make do without headphones if you’re at home, but if you’re out and about, or want the best possible sound, Bluetooth cans are a must.

At their full price of $529 / £399 this performance is a little disappointing, but at their regularly discounted price of $429 / £319 or less they’re a much more compelling option in the smart glasses space.

If you won’t be advantaged by the myopia adjustment, though, you’ll probably prefer one of their competitors, such as the more affordable and impressive RayNeo Air 3S which feature on our best smart glasses list. But the convenient adjustments are a massive benefit that shouldn’t be ignored by people who would benefit from them.

(Image credit: Future / Hamish)

Rokid Max 2: Price and availability

  • Available in the US and UK for $529 / £399
  • They can often be found discounted

The Rokid Max 2 AR glasses are available in the US and UK priced at $529 / £399, though you can often find them discounted for $429 / £319 at sites including Rokid’s own store.

If you get them for full price you’re probably overpaying compared to some of their rivals (at least in the US), but at a discounted price the Rokid Max 2 AR glasses are a very competitive option.

You can turn the glasses into a more standalone device by picking up the Rokid Station – an Android TV puck for the specs – for an additional $199 / £159 (though we’ve often seen this discounted to $139 / £109)

Rokid Max 2: Design

  • Lightweight and comfortable design
  • Myopia adjustments between 0.00D and -6.00D
  • Polarized outer lens and cover to cut out background distractions

We’ve been here before. These Rokid Max 2 smart glasses, like others of their kind, look a lot like sunglasses, albeit with thicker frames, and a few details which become noticeable on closer inspection.

There’s a USB-C port at the end of the left arm for connecting them to compatible devices via their USB-C to USB-C cable. There are control switches on the right arm for volume and screen brightness, and replaceable nose clips, so you can find the best fit for your face.

They’re comfortable to wear – at 2.65oz / 75g they’re very lightweight, and can be easily worn for hours at a time.

Plus, to help the glasses’ image stand out while you’re using them, you have two backdrop options.

The more open choice are the glasses’ polarized lenses. These cut out background distractions but still allow some light in – perfect for keeping an eye on your surroundings while you watch a show.

(Image credit: Future / Hamish)

You can also outfit the specs with their lens cover to block out all light and enjoy an improved (but more closed off) visual experience. There’s much less background light to compete with the image, giving it a sharper look and brighter colors, though you will have to be okay with being cut off from the outside world.

I’ve become quite used to electrochromic dimming tech in these sort of glasses, which has its advantages – chiefly it’s easier to swap between full immersion and full passthrough in a pinch – but the Rokid Max 2’s approach has proved itself as the next best thing in my testing thanks to its simplicity yet effectiveness.

Something the Rokid specs bring to the table which is fairly unique is built-in myopia adjustment. A dial above each lens allows you to adjust the screen in real-time from 0.00D to -6.00D.

This won’t be ideal for every user, but it’s certainly a handy upgrade that will mean fewer people will need to buy an optional lens upgrade to make the smart glasses usable.

Rokid Max 2: Performance

  • Uses Sony micro-OLED panels
  • 120Hz refresh rate, 600-nit brightness, full-HD image
  • Mediocre audio

(Image credit: Rokid)

With Sony micro-OLED panels – which in conjunction with the optical setup boast a 120Hz refresh rate, 600-nit brightness, and 100,000:1 contrast ratio – the full-HD image these glasses can produce is really good.

That’s especially the case when you use the lens cover as a backdrop. With a complete lack of background light the image can seriously pop, with good contrast and bright colors, that, combined with a 50-degree field of view that leaves space for a giant virtual screen, create an immersive private cinema experience.

I used the Rokid Max 2 glasses to watch several shows and films including Captain America: Brave New World and Dandadan, and played games by connecting the specs to my PS5 – using them, among other things, to collect the last few Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 trophies I was missing.

Audio-wise the glasses aren’t bad, but they’re nothing to write home about either.

Their performance is passable if you’re in a quiet space, but they can feel a little lacking at times, with dialogue and music coming through the built-in speakers feeling as if it’s been hollowed out. My advice: pick up a pair of the best Bluetooth headphones along with these specs (if you don’t already have some) if you want to get the best experience.

Not only will this improve the sound, it’ll help you to minimize ambient noise if you wear the smart glasses while traveling on a plane or train, which are the best places to use these kinds of AR specs.

(Image credit: Future / Hamish)

The only let-down performance-wise is that the optical system the glasses use can mean the image is disrupted by reflections.

The glasses use lenses to reflect the OLED screen’s image into your eyes, but that same lens can also reflect your chest into your view as well. In darker environments it’s less noticeable, and unless you’re wearing something very loud it’s generally not too distracting, but since testing the Xreal One Pros which use a different (and better) lens setup I’ve found the issue is much more pronounced on other glasses, and that’s certainly the case here.

That said, the Xreal One Pros cost considerably more, and if you haven’t tried those specs and been spoiled by their new approach to AR optics, which minimizes issues with reflections, you shouldn’t find too many reasons to get frustrated by the Rokid Max 2 and other glasses with the older style of lenses.

Should you buy the Rokid Max 2 glasses?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attribute

Notes

Score

Performance

Performance-wise the Rokid Max 2 glasses are, in a word, fine. We’ve seen and heard worse, we’ve seen and heard better.

3.5/5

Design

The myopia adjustment helps elevate the Rokid Max 2 experience for prescription-glasses users, but they’re not quite flawless in other areas.

4.5/5

Value

If you can pick up the Rokid for a discounted price it’s much better value; at its list price it’s a less appealing option compared to the competition.

3.5/5

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Also consider

How I tested the Rokid Max 2 AR glasses

To review the Rokid Max 2 glasses I tested them over a two-week period, using them in a variety of environments including at home, on a plane, and on the train.

I mostly used the glasses with my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 to watch movies and shows, but using an HDMI-to-USB-C cable I was also able to use the Rokid Max 2 to enjoy some gaming through my PS5, which allowed me to test their refresh rate and input delay, and see if the specs helped or hindered my gaming abilities.



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Meta and Oakley announce new 'perfomance AI' smart glasses for athletes
Gaming Gear

Meta and Oakley announce new ‘perfomance AI’ smart glasses for athletes

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Meta is expanding beyond its popular Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses with a new lineup of frames created in collaboration with Oakley. The Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced HOW-stuhn, apparently) will be available in several variants, not unlike Meta’s other smart glasses. Meta first teased that it had a new partnership on the way earlier in June, and rumors that the company was expanding beyond its current frames were reported by Bloomberg back in January.

Despite rumors that the Oakley glasses would feature a camera embedded in the bridge of the frame, these first models keep the lens on one side and an LED privacy light on the other. The ultra-wide 12MP camera can capture footage in 3K, compared with the 1080p video that the Meta Ray-Bans are capable of recording. Along with taking POV video calls, shooting photos and livestreaming what you see, the camera can be used to answer questions about what you’re seeing with the help of Meta AI.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Threads that these frames, which are based on Oakley’s HSTN style, are “built for action.” So they’re perhaps designed to be more durable than Meta’s older models, though they have the same IPX4 water resistance rating. They feature Prizm and Prizm Polarized lens tech from Oakley, which are designed to protect wearers’ eyes from ultraviolet light.

The battery is rated for eight hours of typical use on a single charge (which would be double that of the Meta Ray-Bans) and up to 19 hours on standby. With the included charging case, you should be able to juice up Oakley Meta HSTN glasses from zero to 50 percent of battery capacity in 22 minutes, and to 85 percent in 45 minutes. The case, which is not water-resistant, is said to deliver up to 40 additional hours of on-the-go charging.

The new frames have open-ear Bluetooth speakers, five onboard microphones and speakers for talking to Meta AI and the ability to take calls, send messages and play music from your phone. There are touch controls on the side of the frames where you can adjust volume and so on.

Meta has also been rolling out live translation features for its smart glasses. The company says the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses can help with accessibility too. You’ll be able to send messages and take photos hands-free. Meta notes that its AI will be able to describe what the camera is seeing. In addition, wearers will be able to connect to the Be My Eyes network and receive assistance from sighted volunteers.

Meta/Oakley

Meta and Oakley say these are “Performance AI glasses.” You’ll be able to ask Meta AI for contextual information that might help in the moment, such as the wind speed so you can try to adjust for that while you’re playing golf.

Meta working with Oakley shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Oakley is owned by EssilorLuxottica, the same fashion conglomerate that owns Ray-Bans. The companies extended their partnership with a new long-term agreement in September 2024 so that they could “collaborate into the next decade to develop multi-generational smart eyewear products.”

The first, limited-edition Oakley Meta HSTN have gold accents and 24K Prizm Polar lenses. They cost $499 and will be available to preorder starting on July 11 in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. Meta and Oakley plan to bring the lineup to Mexico, India and the United Arab Emirates later this year.

Other models will arrive later in the summer and start at $399. They’ll be available in the following frame and lens colors:

  • Oakley Meta HSTN Desert with Prizm Ruby Lenses

  • Oakley Meta HSTN Black with PrizmPolar Black Lenses

  • Oakley Meta HSTN Shiny Brown with Prizm Polar Deep-Water Lenses

  • Oakley Meta HSTN Black with Transitions Amethyst Lenses

  • Oakley Meta HSTN Clear with Transitions Grey Lenses



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Meta Clears Out Stock of Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Amazon Drops Them to an All-Time New Low
Product Reviews

Meta Clears Out Stock of Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Amazon Drops Them to an All-Time New Low

by admin


For the very first time since the day they were launched, the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses are at an all-time low discount on Amazon, which makes it the ideal moment to acquire one of the most revolutionary wearable technologies available.

The Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Skyler and Wayfarer models are now on sale at record-low prices: the Skyler model is available for $303, down from its initial $379, and the Wayfarer model has been discounted to $239, down from $299.

See Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Skyler at Amazon

See Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Wayfarer at Amazon

Why Are They Unique?

What makes the Meta Ray-Ban glasses truly unique is how they effortlessly combine advanced technology with traditional eyewear design: They are already considered the top smart glasses on the market today, owing to their blend of style, comfort, and innovative features that make them a hit with a wide range of users. These glasses are meant to slip easily into your life.

At the core of the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses lies the ability to shoot life from your perspective: The newly designed ultra-wide 12 MP camera enables you to shoot high-quality photos and videos with the voice command or the discreet button tap. The five-mic array delivers clear audio whether recording a video, taking a hands-free call, or communicating with Meta AI. You can even livestream directly to Facebook and Instagram, and take your friends and followers along in the moment.

Most impressive is the addition of Meta AI which makes these spectacles a wearable personal assistant: Activated, Meta AI can scan your surroundings and make contextually appropriate suggestions to help you stay on top of things and in the loop during the day. Of special mention is the live translation feature supporting real-time translations between French, Italian, Spanish, and English without relying on Wi-Fi.

Style and comfort are not overlooked: Both the Skyler and Wayfarer models bear the traditional Ray-Ban style so you’ll be looking good when you wear them. The frames are light for wearing all day, and the lenses are available in a variety of options to correct your eyesight. The spectacles are also built to be durable so you can wear them wherever you go.

Their current all-time low prices on Amazon make this the perfect time to upgrade your eyewear. Keep in mind that they’re actually for everybody with features that will enhance both productivity and pleasure in everyday life.

See Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Skyler at Amazon

See Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Wayfarer at Amazon



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3D Is Back. This Time, You Can Ditch the Glasses
Gaming Gear

3D Is Back. This Time, You Can Ditch the Glasses

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Samsung says it performed an internal survey among what it calls its “hardcore gaming” demographic to find out what they wanted in a next-generation gaming display. This demographic is marked by a willingness to pay thousands for the latest PC gaming gear. Sixty-two percent said they expected the next generation to include advanced immersion—the perfect place to test the waters with 3D tech.

“As we’re looking at the demographic, or just the overall consumer base for monitors, especially when you’re talking about premium monitors over $1,000, the overwhelming majority is spending it on gaming,” You says. That’s important because these first 3D gaming monitors don’t come cheap. Despite the surprisingly limited game support at launch, the Samsung Odyssey 3D costs a cool $2,000.

Samsung

Odyssey 3D (27-Inch, G90XF)

“We’re in that early adopter stage, right? The sticker price is a little bit of a shock to most consumers,” he says. “But we feel like once we get people into the 3D ecosystem, we’ll get more game studios and developers brought into it because they see the total accessible market increasing.”

When it comes down to it, gamers are willing to spend more on an immersive experience, and that’s going to buy time for the rest of the 3D ecosystem to catch up.

3D on Every Screen

[maybe a screenshot from this video or a full embed of the Lume Pad 2 video]

As You notes, even the Odyssey 3D is “so much more than just a 3D gaming monitor.” Whether it’s YouTube, Zoom, or even just full-screen photos, the display can convert 2D into 3D using machine-learning algorithms, adding an artificial layer of depth that wasn’t previously there. While the effect is not as convincing as in games, and DRM limitations restrict the content, it’s an impressive tech demo nonetheless. More than that, AI is enabling 3D to overcome the need for tailor-made 3D content, another one of the main problems with 3D tech in the past. It’s planting the seeds for broader uses that a more mainstream audience can benefit from.

Fattal says gaming is his second-favorite use case for 3D. “3D has that power to convey the human connection a lot better than on a flat screen,” he says, explaining that taking 3D photos and videos of his kids was what made him truly believe in the power of 3D. His dream is a world in which all videos can be taken and experienced in 3D. “Our goal is to end up completely standard on all devices, but especially on cell phones, so that people can chat and take pictures and videos, and share on social media—and all of that should be in 3D.”

It’s an ambitious aspiration, and one echoed by Silicon Valley titans. Apple and Google have been touting spatial photos and videos with their respective mixed-reality ecosystems, where you’ll be able to experience memories with depth. Google also recently showed off Google Beam—a way to convert people in video calls to appear more 3D and lifelike for a more personal touch.

The Apple Vision Pro could never exist without gamers willing to try out the early versions of VR, even with the severe lack of game libraries and uncomfortable headsets. There have always been other use cases for VR, but gaming has always been the main draw. It’s too early to say whether this new era of 3D will have more success going beyond gaming than VR has.

Don’t expect 3D TVs to make a comeback anytime soon—the current implementation makes it so that the 3D tech only works for one person. But for now, companies like Samsung have much brighter hopes for the proliferation of 3D, promising to “triple down” on its 3D monitor lineup in the next year or two. That’s a serious vote of confidence.



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How To Find And Change Alma's Glasses
Game Reviews

How To Find And Change Alma’s Glasses

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While the base game of Monster Hunter Wilds allows you to customize your hunter, Palico, and Seikret, the game’s first Title Update also added customization for Alma. Your handler can now try on some new outfits and even swap between pairs of glasses. Unfortunately, there isn’t much explanation about how to attain these new styles, and her glasses are locked behind an optional quest that’s easy to get lost in.

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Is Set at $450 for Now, But Could Go Higher

How to Change Alma’s Outfit

Screenshot: Capcom / Samuel Moreno / Kotaku

There are currently three alternate outfit choices in addition to Alma’s default look. However, you can only permanently unlock Alma’s other outfits by downloading them from your platform’s store. Naturally, you can grab these from the store before jumping in for a session, but there is also a method to do it in-game as well. Simply head to a Support Deck Palico at one of the base camps or in the Grand Hub. Then, go into the Add-Ons section and keep an eye out for these options:

  • Scrivener’s Coat: Alma’s outfit from the game’s prologue. Can be downloaded for free
  • New World Commission Outfit:Gives Alma the default handler look from Monster Hunter World. This will cost you $5.99
  • Spring Blossom Kimono: A special themed outfit Alma can freely wear during the Festival of Accord: Blossomdance event. It can also be permanently unlocked by purchasing it for $5.99

Once you’ve downloaded either one, head into any tent. Scroll over to the right to access the Appearance Menu, select Change Appearance, and then select Change Alma’s Outfit. You’ll be taken to a new menu where you can choose between her default and newly downloaded outfits.

How to Complete The Apple of Her Eye Quest

Screenshot: Capcom / Samuel Moreno / Kotaku

Alma doesn’t have as many customization options as everyone else, but she can change out her glasses. The only catch is that you need to unlock them through a new optional quest first. Talking to Alma in the new update will start a dialogue where she exclaims that her new glasses are gone. She deduces that they might have gotten lost in the Scarlet Forest, which starts off the Apple of Her Eye side quest.

Your first destination is the Wudwud Hideout in the Scarlet Forest. Head over there and talk to Thunk, a Wudwud standing near the hideout’s entrance. They’ll tell you that any lost items can usually be found down the river. A marker will appear on your map, although it might be hard to see if you’re like me and leave your map cluttered. The quickest way there is to travel to the Scarlet Forest Base Camp in Area One and then take a quick Seikret ride north.

It won’t take long before you come across a marked Wudwud, who will then point you further down the river. After a quick walk, you’ll find one of his adorable fellows wearing Alma’s glasses upside-down. This new little guy will immediately run off toward the Wudwud hideout. Return there and talk to Thunk again; he’ll tell you that your best option is to ask the others when they’re having festivities. They won’t be holding their festivities until the nighttime during a season of plenty. Taking a Rest to adjust the season and time is the quickest way to set this up.

Head up to the top of the hideout when the conditions are met. Talk to all the Wudwuds to receive some items, open up some trade routes, and get information on Ayejack, the one who has the glasses. Their hints will piece together that he’s asleep below. Without a quest marker to assist, this is where things get a little confusing.

To find the sleeping Ayejack, you’ll have to jump back down to the main level of the Wudwud hideout. The hanging pouches made up of leaves and vines are what serve as their beds. Ayejack can be found across from the item trading Musharpeye, inside a pouch that’s close to the giant tree. A quest marker will finally pop up once you’ve gotten close to him.

Unfortunately, finding and waking him up is only the penultimate part of this quest. He’ll only give up the glasses if you give him some Eastern Honey in return. These are the best ways to gather it if you need any:

  • From capturing Vigorwasps
  • Occasional rewards for Event Quests
  • Rare drop from gathering Honey
  • Trade with Ren, located at Sild – The Keeper’s Vigil in Wyveria
  • Trade with Gawdygog, located at the Wudwud Hideout in the Scarlet Forest

Talk to him when you have some to complete the trade. The quest ends with Alma happy to have her new red spectacles and more than willing to wear them. The next time you visit a tent to change her outfit, there will be an option to change the glasses to these red ones or a bonus set of square ones.

Additionally, you can also craft these two new glasses as High Rank armor for your hunter. You can find them under Strategist Spectacles and Square Glasses. They’re pretty useful for gathering with fully leveled Geologist and Botanist skills.

If it’s anything like previous entries, Monster Hunter Wilds is sure to add plenty of cosmetic DLC. We’ll likely see new outfits for Alma as well, but I probably wouldn’t bet on many more freebies.

.



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We tried on Google’s prototype AI smart glasses
Product Reviews

We tried on Google’s prototype AI smart glasses

by admin


Here in sunny Mountain View, California, I am sequestered in a teeny-tiny box. Outside, there’s a long line of tech journalists, and we are all here for one thing: to try out Project Moohan and Google’s Android XR smart glasses prototypes. (The Project Mariner booth is maybe 10 feet away and remarkably empty.)

While nothing was going to steal AI’s spotlight at this year’s keynote — 95 mentions! — Android XR has been generating a lot of buzz on the ground. But the demos we got to see here were notably shorter, with more guardrails, than what I got to see back in December. Probably because, unlike a few months ago, there are cameras everywhere and these are “risky” demos.

The Project Moohan VR headset.

First up is Project Moohan. Not much has changed since I first slipped on the headset. It’s still an Android-flavored Apple Vision Pro, albeit much lighter and more comfortable to wear. Like Oculus headsets, there’s a dial in the back that lets you adjust the fit. If you press the top button, it brings up Gemini. You can ask Gemini to do things, because that is what AI assistants are here for. Specifically, I ask it to take me to my old college stomping grounds in Tokyo in Google Maps without having to open the Google Maps app. Natural language and context, baby.

But that’s a demo I’ve gotten before. The “new” thing Google has to show me today is spatialized video. As in, you can now get 3D depth in a regular old video you’ve filmed without any special equipment. (Never mind that the example video I’m shown is most certainly filmed by someone with an eye for enhancing dramatic perspectives.)

When angled just so, you can see a glimpse of the hidden display.

Because of the clamoring crowd outside, I’m then given a quick run-through of Google’s prototype Android XR glasses. Emphasis on prototype. They’re simple; it’s actually hard to spot the camera in the frame and the discreet display in the right lens. When I slip them on, I can see a tiny translucent screen showing the time and weather. If I press the temple, it brings up — you guessed it — Gemini. I’m prompted to ask Gemini to identify one of two paintings in front of me. At first, it fails because I’m too far away. (Remember, these demos are risky.) I ask it to compare the two paintings, and it tells me some obvious conclusions. The one on the right uses brighter colors, and the one on the left is more muted and subdued.

Tapping the side will bring up Gemini on the Android XR prototype glasses.

On a nearby shelf, there are a few travel guidebooks. I tell Gemini a lie — that I’m not an outdoorsy type, so which book would be the best for planning a trip to Japan? It picks one. I’m then prompted to take a photo with the glasses. I do, and a little preview pops up on the display. Now that’s something the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses can’t do — and arguably, one of the Meta glasses’ biggest weaknesses for the content creators that make up a huge chunk of its audience. The addition of the display lets you frame your images. It’s less likely that you’ll tilt your head for an accidental Dutch angle or have the perfect shot ruined by your ill-fated late-night decision to get curtain bangs.

These are the safest demos Google can do. Though I don’t have video or photo evidence, the things I saw behind closed doors in December were a more convincing example of why someone might want this tech. There were prototypes with not one, but two built-in displays, so you could have a more expansive view. I got to try the live AI translation. The whole “Gemini can identify things in your surroundings and remember things for you” demo felt personalized, proactive, powerful, and pretty dang creepy. But those demos were on tightly controlled guardrails — and at this point in Google’s story of smart glasses redemption, it can’t afford a throng of tech journalists all saying, “Hey, this stuff? It doesn’t work.”

Reminder: this is a prototype. What’ll end up shipping to consumers will be different.

Meta is the name that Google hasn’t said aloud with Android XR, but you can feel its presence loom here at the Shoreline. You can see it in the way Google announced stylish eyewear brands like Gentle Monster and Warby Parker as partners in the consumer glasses that will launch… sometime, later. This is Google’s answer to Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica and Ray-Ban. You can also see it in the way Google is positioning AI as the killer app for headsets and smart glasses. Meta, for its part, has been preaching the same for months — and why shouldn’t it? It’s already sold 2 million units of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

The problem is, even though Google let us take photo and video this time, it is so freakin’ hard to convey why Silicon Valley is so gung-ho on smart glasses. I’ve said it time and time again. You have to see it to believe it. Renders and video capture don’t cut it. Even then, even if, in the limited time we have, we could frame the camera just so and give you a glimpse into what I see when I’m wearing these things — it just wouldn’t be the same.





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Google Unveils Android XR Glasses with Gemini AI Integration

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In brief

  • At Google I/O, Google demos Android XR glasses with Gemini AI for translation, navigation, media, and real-time help.
  • The glasses are in beta testing and Google plans to release them with eyewear brands Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker.
  • Google is positioning Android XR to rival Meta’s AI glasses.

Google unveiled Android XR, a new extended reality platform designed to integrate its Gemini AI into wearable devices such as smart glasses and headsets.

During its 2025 I/O developer conference on Tuesday, the tech giant showcased the Android XR glasses, the company’s first eyewear set since the ill-fated Google Glass smart glasses in 2023.

During the presentation, Shahram Izadi, Vice President and General Manager at Android XR, highlighted the need for portability and quick access to information without relying on a phone.

“When you’re on the go, you’ll want lightweight glasses that can give you timely information without reaching for your phone,” he said. “We built Android XR together as one team with Samsung and optimized it for Snapdragon with Qualcomm.”

Google first announced Android XR in December 2024. The reveal arrived eight months after Meta released the latest version of its Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses—a sign of growing competition in the wearable AI space.

Glasses with Android XR are lightweight and designed for all-day wear. They work with your phone so you can be hands-free, stay in the moment with friends and complete your to-do list. pic.twitter.com/CLXGxeQPzs

— Google (@Google) May 20, 2025

Like Meta’s AI glasses, the Android XR glasses include a camera, microphones, and speakers and can connect to an Android device.

Google’s flagship AI, Gemini, provides real-time information, language translation, and an optional in-lens display that shows information when needed.

During the presentation, Google also showed off the Android XR glasses live streaming capabilities, as well as their ability to take photos, receive text messages, and display Google Maps.

Google also demonstrated how Gemini can complement exploration and navigation through immersive experiences.

“With Google Maps in XR, you can teleport anywhere in the world simply by asking Gemini to take you there,” Izadi said. “You can talk with your AI assistant about anything you see and have it pull up videos and websites about what you’re exploring.”

While Google did not announce a release date or price, Izadi said the glasses would be available through partnerships with South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster and U.S. brand Warby Parker, adding that a developer platform for Android XR is in development.

“We’re creating the software and reference hardware platform to enable the ecosystem to build great glasses alongside us,” Parker said. “Our glasses prototypes are already being used by trusted testers, and you’ll be able to start developing for glasses later this year.”

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

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