Google and Samsung are collaborating to develop new Android-based extended reality (XR) smart glasses.

They plan to launch the product by the end of 2025.

The project, called Moohan, marks Google’s return to smart eyewear after ending Google Glass in 2015.

Samsung will lead hardware development, while Google collaborates with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker on design.

The Android XR glasses will feature integrated cameras, microphones, speakers, and optional display lenses.

This will allow users hands-free access to information and applications.

The glasses will use Google’s Gemini AI to provide real-time contextual information, including navigation and translation.

🔗 Source: The Korea Times

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Learning from past failures: The Google Glass cautionary tale

Google’s return to smart glasses comes after a significant failure with Google Glass, which was discontinued in 2015 following intense public backlash.

Despite technological innovation, Glass became a symbol of tech elitism and privacy invasion, with wearers derisively labeled “glassholes” in popular culture1.

The $1,500 price point proved prohibitive for mass adoption, while the conspicuous design made users stand out in social settings, which most consumers didn’t want from wearable technology1.

Privacy concerns dominated public discourse, with many uncomfortable about the prospect of being recorded without consent in everyday situations2.

Google’s unclear product positioning—marketed simultaneously as a developer prototype and consumer product—created confusion about its intended use cases, leaving potential customers unable to articulate its practical benefits1.

This history explains why Google is now emphasizing partnerships with fashion brands like Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to address the style concerns that plagued its earlier attempt.