Google is resurrecting its smart glasses, here's what they look like

In December 2024, Google officially launched its virtual and mixed reality platform, Android XR. Since then, Samsung has presented its Moohan project, a future virtual reality headset running on Android XR. Like the Apple Vision Pro, it is a headset that covers the entire front of the user, and which transmits reality via a complex system of cameras, lenses, and screens.

This Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Google presented Google is showing the public for the first time a much lighter version of an Android XR product. At a TED conference in Vancouver, Google's XR/AR division manager, Shahram Izadi, showed off a prototype of future AR glasses on stage, reports the website Axios.

These new Google Glasses integrate, according to Google's on-stage demonstration, a miniature screen as well as voice commands via Gemini, Google's chatbot powered by to generative AI. The Mountain View firm also took the opportunity to demonstrate Samsung's Moohan project in action on stage.

Google is thinking of smart glasses as a smartphone accessory

Several interesting elements emerged from this demonstration. First, the format of the glasses, which, like the Meta Ray Bans, resemble any other pair of glasses. Then, unlike Meta, Google has apparently managed to integrate a screen that would offer an augmented reality experience that would be superimposed on the elements surrounding the user. A major challenge, which no manufacturer has yet managed to offer in a commercial product with this format.

Finally, for more practical uses, Shahram Izadi was able to express himself in Farsi with a live English translation. He was also able to scan a book.

Google has apparently opted for glasses designed as a smartphone accessory. "These glasses work with your phone, in both directions, which allows them to be very light and to access all the applications on your phone," explained the manager.

As for Samsung's Moohan project, Google reportedly demonstrated how pass-through video works, the technology that allows you to see the world through the headset's camera and screen system. The demonstration then reportedly presented some of the headset's capabilities, such as using multiple application windows, an immersive tour of Cape Town in South Africa (we imagine via Google Maps) or even a 360-degree video.

Google would therefore be trying to play on both sides. The Moohan project is reminiscent of the Apple Vision Pro, while the AR glasses seem to respond to Meta's Orion glasses.