Google · Reviewed by CNET · Published 2026-05-19
Based on a review by CNET (accessed 2026-05-19).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about deep gemini ai integration with google apps like calendar and keep — just accept no specific product names have been announced for many models.
The reviewer is highly impressed with Google's advancements in smart glasses, particularly the automatic live translation and the versatile capabilities of Project Aura's Xreal glasses. They conclude that Google possesses significantly more tools than Meta to succeed in the smart glasses market.
This review explores Google's forthcoming smart glasses, including various models and partnerships with brands like Warby Parker, Gentle Monster, Samsung, and Xreal. It provides hands-on demonstrations of features such as Gemini AI integration, real-time audio translation, 3D spatial models, gaming capabilities, and the 'Project Aura' Xreal glasses with a dedicated processor puck.
Google's latest smart glasses represent a significant leap in intelligent eyewear, offering advanced AI integration and live audio translation that surpasses many current offerings. The Gemini AI integration allows for seamless interaction with existing Google apps like Calendar and Keep, while the live audio translation impressively recognizes languages automatically and attempts to match speaker intonation. A notable drawback is the acknowledged privacy hurdles that Google plans to address, indicating user comfort in public spaces remains a concern. If you are an early adopter eager to explore cutting-edge AI capabilities and enhanced digital interaction through eyewear, these glasses present compelling features. If public privacy and a definitive product roadmap are higher priorities, it would be wise to await further announcements regarding these intelligent devices.
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hands_on_demopositivet=1:10
The reviewer used Gemini AI to ask about World Cup games and successfully added them to their Google Calendar, demonstrating integration with existing Google apps.
hands_on_demopositivet=1:45
The reviewer noted that photos taken on the glasses can be viewed on a connected wrist device, allowing the glasses to function like a viewfinder.
hands_on_demomixedt=1:50–2:19
The reviewer challenged the AI to generate a photo of the room in a David Lynch style with 1930s cartoon characters eating sushi. While the AI generated the image with the specified characters and style, it did not include the actual people in the room. The generated photo was previewed in the glasses and also appeared on the watch and phone.
hands_on_demopositivet=2:19–3:09
The reviewer listened to a Brazilian Portuguese speaker and observed the glasses automatically recognizing the language, providing captions, and attempting to match intonation. The same functionality worked for French, with a slight audio delay.
hands_on_demopositivet=3:09
The reviewer played Chinese checkers with the glasses, which started to play along and suggest possible moves, demonstrating AI assistance in games.
hands_on_demopositivet=3:09–3:53
The reviewer demonstrated bringing up 3D images on display glasses and interacting with them by tilting and turning their head, which uses motion sensors to allow looking around the virtual object.
comparisonpositivet=4:34
The Xreal Project Aura glasses feature a 70-degree field of view, which the reviewer stated is bigger than other display glasses and deemed 'really good', not missing extra field of view compared to a VR headset.
hands_on_demopositivet=4:34–5:12
The reviewer played games on a Steam Deck while simultaneously using the Project Aura's processor puck to bring up a YouTube browser and watch tutorial videos alongside the game, highlighting multitasking capabilities.
hands_on_demopositivet=5:12–6:16
The reviewer saw demos of 'vibe coded' experiences using Google's tools to create and run AR applications directly on the glasses, including a Tilt Brush-like drawing experience created in days.
hands_on_demopositivet=5:12–6:16
The reviewer experienced a Gemini-based AR app where pinching objects in the environment brought up representative molecules, allowing for a conversational interaction with them.
hands_on_demopositivet=5:12–6:16
The reviewer drew musical notes that created arcs of sound, which then generated a musical experience within a Gemini-based AR app.
While exact product names and pricing are not yet announced, Google's intelligent eyewear, developed with partners like Warby Parker, Gentle Monster, and Samsung, is slated for release in the fall. Samsung is anticipated to provide more specific details at their Unpacked event in July.
The glasses feature automatic, real-time audio translation capabilities. They can recognize spoken languages, provide captions, and even attempt to match the speaker's intonation. The reviewer successfully tested this with both Portuguese and French speakers, noting its functionality across Google's extensive set of supported languages.
Gemini AI allows the glasses to integrate with existing Google apps, enabling tasks such as adding events to Google Calendar. It can also generate creative photos based on user prompts. When connected to external devices like a Steam Deck, Gemini can analyze gameplay and provide advice, showcasing its versatile application in different scenarios.
The Xreal Project Aura glasses, part of Google's Android XR platform, provide a 70-degree field of view. The reviewer found this field of view to be 'really good' and sufficient for an immersive experience, noting that it is larger than other display glasses, although smaller than a full VR headset.
The Project Aura glasses, operating with a separate processor puck, enable connections to external devices such as a Steam Deck for gaming. The reviewer demonstrated playing a game while concurrently browsing YouTube tutorials in another window. The system also supports running multiple applications and could potentially use Gemini for in-game advice.
Google is aware of the significant privacy challenges and user comfort issues associated with wearing smart glasses in public. The company plans to discuss these hurdles and potential solutions in more detail at an upcoming fall event, indicating ongoing consideration for public acceptance.
85/100 source quality
CNET provides an early look at Google's smart glasses lineup, anticipated for a fall launch, highlighting collaborations with Warby Parker, Gentle Monster, Samsung, and Xreal. The video showcases hands-on demos of Gemini AI for tasks like calendar management and creative image generation. A standout feature demonstrated is the mind-blowing live audio translation. The review also covers gaming, 3D spatial models, and the 'Project Aura' XREAL glasses, which feature a 70-degree field of view and a powerful processor puck, positioning Google strongly against competitors like Meta.
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