It’s been nearly a decade since Google ditched its ill-fated "Glass" product, an early attempt at making smart glasses. Now, as rivals like Meta enter the market with arguably more stylish kit, the Chocolate Factory has returned to the market and this time promises it won’t invade your privacy. As announced Thursday, Google has decided not to make wearables itself, instead turning Samsung and eyeglass makers Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Like most of the rest of this generation of smart glasses, none of the nine styles available feature heads-up displays, just cameras and audio feedback from Gemini. Google suggests its smart specs give users a chance to ask its Gemini chatbot questions about what they see, or have the AI speak turn-by-turn directions. Wearers of the device can also push a button or speak a command to activate the built-in 12MP camera and shoot snaps or video. Warby Parker’s version of the glasses will come in three styles, with prescription and sunglass lenses available. Prices start at $395. The same lens options are available in the six frames from Gentle Monster, which will start at $449. Both manufacturers promise nine hours of battery life, boosted by charging cases that can refresh the glasses up to seven times. Preorders for both are available now, with shipments arriving, and sales beginning, on December 10. Google promises privacy
The Chocolate Factory, not exactly known for being reliable with its privacy claims, is insisting that this latest generation of smart glasses won’t produce another generation of “glassholes,” folk whose focus on wearable devices became synonymous with being creepy and rude to those around them. Google has some catchup to do to that end, given Meta’s smart glasses have already landed it in hot water over privacy concerns that have led to some calling the devices “ pervert glasses .”…