Google I/O 2025 was the launchpad for the latest Mountain View promotion of imminent AI-incorporating faceware. I’m sure we all remember Sergey Brin in his Google Glasses, back in 2013, but it does seem things have moved on. Check out the video further down below.
And, of course, Android XR glasses themselves aren’t new – we covered Android XR bringing Gemini AI to headsets and glasses at the end of last year. XR stands for extended reality, by the way, and the search giant has been working with Samsung and Qualcomm, among others, to create the new Android platform.
Features
But now Google is preparing for launch and has been showcasing the features of the Android XR devices. For example, identifying locations, turn-by-turn navigation and the ability to message contacts, making appointments, asking for turn-by-turn directions, taking photos and more
“Equipped with a camera, microphones and speakers, these glasses work in tandem with your phone, giving you access to your apps without ever having to reach in your pocket,” it writes. “And an optional in-lens display privately provides helpful information right when you need it. Pairing these glasses with Gemini means they see and hear what you do, so they understand your context, remember what’s important to you and can help you throughout your day.”
“Today’s sneak peek showed how Android XR glasses will work in real-world scenarios, including messaging friends, making appointments, asking for turn-by-turn directions, taking photos and more. We even demoed live language translation between two people, showing the potential for these glasses to break down language barriers — giving you subtitles for the real world.”
So what’s next? According to Google, its currently gathering feedback on the prototypes with “trusted testers”:
“We’ll share more on our progress in the coming months, and you can stay tuned for updates on device availability.”
Android XR
Android XR? Basically, it’s designed to present information within your line of sight, or directly in your ear.
For example, using Android XR glasses, AI-sourced information could become available via a simple interface (a single tap). It would provide information such as directions, translations or message summaries. This would be without accessing your phone.
The first headset device is Samsung built and is due later this year. Using the device, certain Google apps – such as YouTube, Google Maps and Google Photos – will be viewable in 3D.
XR
To support such development, Google has also released a new Android XR Emulator. This is to create a virtualised XR device, for testing apps built with the Jetpack XR SDK.
Specifically, the tool will be available in the latest preview of Android Studio Meerkat. There is also an updated Layout Inspector to inspect spatialized UI components created with the Jetpack libraries.
A new version of Play Store will be available on the platform. It will feature apps that “spatialize” Material Design (M3) components.
[Via Chrome Unboxed]
See also: Google Glass, in disassembled glory
