Google's smart glasses from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker arrive soon

Gentle Monster, a Korean eyewear brand, says its smart glasses made with Google will launch in December. Its website says pre-orders open on November 12. Warby Parker appeared to share the same date by accident on Thursday. Google has not confirmed either date.

What the glasses do

Google and its partners call them "Intelligent Eyewear." They run Android XR, Google's software for headsets and glasses. These versions have no display. They focus on audio and access to Gemini, Google's AI assistant. Samsung is also a partner on the project.

Google is pitching them as a competitor to Meta's smart glasses. It is also a loose revival of Google Glass, its earlier glasses effort. Like Meta, Google is betting that familiar fashion brands will make the technology easier to accept.

Gentle Monster also released a teaser for a short film directed by Jonathan Glazer and starring Joaquin Phoenix. The full film is due in mid-November. The teaser looks more like experimental film than a standard ad.

What is not known yet

The material does not give a price, a full feature list or details of the Warby Parker version. Google has not confirmed the dates. It is also unclear how shoppers will respond to the glasses. If you have considered Meta's smart glasses, this may soon give you a second option.