Google's AI glasses are almost there, but are they ready for prime time? At the Google I/O developer conference, we got a hands-on look at the company's upcoming AI-powered glasses, which offer a combined audio and visual experience. While the display version is still a prototype, it's clear that Google is making significant progress. The glasses, developed in partnership with Warby Parker, Gentle Monster, and Samsung, feature an in-lens display that overlays helpful information on the real world. This includes widgets for weather, directions, Uber pickup details, live translation, and even custom widgets designed with AI. The shipping version will also pair with both iOS and Android phones, both in audio-only and display modes. The display glasses are meant to be the next step beyond the first generation of audio glasses, offering a more immersive experience. However, the prototype we tested had some limitations. The display was a bit fuzzy, and the glasses didn't have a head-tracking feature to detect when they're on or off. The audio quality was also underwhelming, with music sounding relatively hard to hear crisply. Nonetheless, the glasses showed promise in areas like navigation and object identification. The language translation feature, backed by Google Translate, was particularly impressive, and could be a game-changer for world travelers. In terms of broader implications, the glasses raise questions about the future of augmented reality and the role of AI in our daily lives. While the display version is still a work in progress, Google's commitment to AI glasses is clear. The company believes that audio will suffice for some users' needs, which is perhaps a smart way to spin the fact that its display glasses aren't ready yet. However, the competition from Meta and Snap is heating up, and Google will need to deliver a compelling product if it wants to stay ahead in the race for the future of wearables.
