I tried Google’s AI glasses and Meta’s finally got real competition

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Owen Grove / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/11/androidxr8.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="has-drop-cap wp-block-paragraph">It's a weird time to launch a new pair of smart glasses.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">These last few years, Meta has been the dominant player in pushing a fragile smart glasses resurgence. Unfortunately, its privacy reputation led to the "pervert glasses" moniker. Smart glasses have never been more unpopular.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">But in the past week, I've been demoing some new smart glasses from Samsung, Warby Parker, and Gentle Monster. Some are retro chic frames. Others have the same Y2K vibe as the <em>Matrix</em> films. All were made by Samsung and have Google's Gemini built in via Android XR, Google's platform for smart glasses and mixed-reality headsets.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The AI demos are better than I expe …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1031647/google-android-xr-warby-parker-gentle-monster-hands-on">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>