Google Partners With Gentle Monster and Warby Parker For AI Glasses
Google’s stylish comeback to smart eyewear includes collaborations with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, introducing Android XR AI-powered glasses to the fashion and tech world.
The Return of Google Smart Glasses, Now in Style
Years after quietly retiring Google Glass from the public spotlight, Google is making a bold, fashionable return to the smart eyewear scene. At Google I/O 2025, the company officially announced partnerships with two of the most style-savvy eyewear brands—Gentle Monster and Warby Parker—to produce the first wave of Android XR-powered AI glasses.
Gentle Monster: A Strategic and Stylish Choice
Gentle Monster’s involvement in this project is especially strategic. The brand is known for its edgy silhouettes, minimalist flair, and cult following in the fashion world. By aligning with Gentle Monster, Google is clearly signaling that it wants these glasses to be more than just a tech gadget—they want them to be a statement piece. The goal is to ensure AI wearables are not only useful but desirable to wear every day.
Warby Parker Adds Everyday Appeal
While Gentle Monster adds star power, Warby Parker adds mainstream accessibility. Known for revolutionizing online eyewear shopping with its home try-on program and virtual try-on tools, Warby Parker brings mass market viability to the Android XR project. The brand’s focus on style, affordability, and function complements Google’s goal to bring AI to a broader audience through wearable tech.
From Nerdy to Noteworthy: A Fashion-Forward Shift
Smart glasses have long been plagued by the “techy-but-awkward” stereotype, but Google aims to change that with this new wave of XR eyewear. Instead of going it alone, Google is now joining forces with designers known for their aesthetic appeal. Gentle Monster, the South Korean luxury eyewear brand popular among Gen Z and celebrities like Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar, and Warby Parker, the accessible style pioneer in online eyewear, are the first brands to carry the new Android XR glasses.
What Makes These AI Glasses Special?
These are not your ordinary spectacles. The AI glasses will feature built-in cameras, microphones, and speakers. They connect to your phone and integrate Google’s Gemini AI assistant, letting you get real-time help or answers without pulling out your phone. Whether you want to navigate a new city, ask a question about what you’re seeing, or interact with apps, the glasses offer a hands-free, screenless way to stay connected.
Oddly enough, Google notes that the display component inside the lenses is optional. That means some models might focus more on audio and camera interaction, similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories, rather than offering immersive visual overlays.
Privacy Signals Included
One of the major concerns with smart glasses is privacy. At Google I/O, a live demo revealed that the glasses will include a small light that turns on when recording, helping to address concerns over discreet filming. While not a perfect solution, it’s a small but meaningful nod to transparency, and possibly an answer to criticisms that plagued earlier smart glasses.
Not Just Glasses: Project Moohan and Project Aura
Google’s wearable vision doesn’t stop with stylish glasses. During the same I/O event, Google confirmed that Samsung’s Project Moohan, a full-fledged XR headset designed to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro, will arrive later this year. Meanwhile, AR-focused company Xreal teased Project Aura, a tethered smart glasses product that is also built on the Android XR platform. Aura is designed for more immersive experiences and is expected to launch details at the Augmented World Expo next month.
The Start of a Wearable AI Ecosystem
These collaborations are just the beginning. Google mentioned that more eyewear brands, like Kering Eyewear, will be joining the Android XR initiative in the near future. By expanding into multiple fashion-forward partners, Google hopes to create an entire ecosystem where users can choose their ideal frame design and still enjoy the same AI capabilities across the board.
Final Thoughts: Smart Glasses That You’ll Actually Want to Wear
With its latest announcement, Google is clearly positioning Android XR glasses as both functional tech and fashionable accessories. By teaming up with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, the company is embracing the fact that for AI glasses to be adopted widely, they need to look good as much as they work well. It’s a promising shift from “geeky gadget” to “must-have wearable.” And with more updates expected later this year, the future of AI eyewear is looking both smart and stylish.
