Smart glasses are hardly a brand-new concept. We've had them before but perhaps an argument could have been made that such tech came way before its time — I'm thinking particularly of Google Glass. Anyway, the concept is back, and it seems like Meta's take has been a relatively surprising success.
In fact, it looks like so much of a success that Google is considering giving the concept another go, but this time, more like actual glasses and not some futuristic visor. Google Gemini would be the smarts in the glasses. The only problem is that it seems Google might be trying to hijack Ray-Ban from Meta.
Google Wants To Give Smart Glasses Another Try; This Time, In A More Orthodox Manner
Google Glass was pretty cool. It seemed like something pulled right out of a sci-fi book or movie. It preceded Google Assistant, which made it even cooler because it was like having that kind of virtual assistant functionality built into a pair of glasses, along with augmented reality. Honestly, I never got the chance to play with Google Glass, but from afar, it just seemed like one of those things that might have been more successful if it had come later on.
Anyway, with smart glasses like Meta's (or even Snapchat's, though that's more of a one-trick pony) doing relatively well, Google seems to be licking its lips at the opportunity to try again. I don't think I'm the target audience for smart glasses but trust me when I say that I'm still excited for the tech giant to have a go in the segment. Competition never hurts.
Google's Gemini is its choice to power its proposed smart glasses, just like how Meta has its Meta AI playing that role in its smart glasses. Speaking of Meta's option though, it seems Google wants a little more in terms of similarities. Reports say that Google is looking for a brand name to work with, and would ideally love to snatch Ray-Ban away from Meta. However, I think you'll agree with me that is probably not going to happen especially since Ray-Ban is likely making a tidy profit from the Meta Glasses success at the moment.
The Smart Glasses Segment Might Be On The Brink Of Blowing Up
Meta is pretty much the only real player in the smart glasses game if you want something that performs like a computer in front of your eyes. However, with Google potentially adding itself to the mix in some years, it could be a market segment that sees a lot more growth very soon.
It seems to be rosy enough with the Meta Smart Glasses that Meta is considering buying a stake in Ray-Ban's parent company, EssilorLuxotica. There'd be little other reason to do that than projections that show how much the smart glasses market might grow in a few years.
Regardless, being rather new, it is not the kind of market that any manufacturer can rush into, so expect to see only big names taking a bet on smart glasses in the near future.
