The failure of Google Glass in 2014 cast a shadow over smart glasses, but these devices may be on the brink of a resurgence.
Both Meta and Google seem fully committed to the next wave of smart glasses, blending fashion, utility, and generative AI into a compelling design, according to Gene Munster, managing partner of the Minneapolis-based venture capital firm, Deepwater Asset Management. This all despite Google Glass’s infamous flop which Google has yet to live down.
In a blog post on the firm’s website on Friday, Munster explained, “I believe their optimism stems from a combination of recognizing that consumers are drawn to user-friendly tech and having greater faith in the potential of generative AI.”
“Generative AI is leading the way to advanced wearable ambient computing,” he wrote. “The goal now is to create glasses that look and feel like ordinary eyewear but with the added benefit of generative AI through voice activation, cameras, and sensors.”
He further explained, “This means your glasses will be able to interpret the physical world around you and provide information on-demand, like identifying a plant you’re looking at or helping you locate misplaced items.”
Munster anticipated that the smart glasses market could grow to hundreds of millions of units annually over the next decade, prompting Apple to align its spatial computing initiatives more closely with the wearable strategies of Meta and Google.
From Gadget to Essential Technology
“AI has revolutionized the functionality and user experience of smart glasses,” said Timothy Bates, a clinical professor of cybersecurity at the University of Michigan-Flint College of Innovation and Technology.
“My research with AI-enhanced immersive technologies has demonstrated that AI’s ability to customize and improve user interactions is critical,” he told TechNewsWorld. “Whether it’s through voice-activated commands or delivering context-aware information, AI elevates smart glasses from a simple gadget to an indispensable tool, making them more appealing to both consumers and businesses.”
“AI has the power to make smart glasses more attractive to mainstream users by offering personalized, context-sensitive experiences,” added Mark N. Vena, president and principal analyst at SmartTech Research in Las Vegas.
“With AI, smart glasses can offer real-time translations, proactive notifications, and customized content suggestions based on the user’s preferences and behaviors,” he told TechNewsWorld.
“Enhanced voice and gesture recognition, driven by AI, allows for more natural, hands-free operation, making these devices easier and more intuitive to use,” he continued. “AI-powered augmented reality features can project useful information, such as navigation directions or product details, directly into the user’s view, improving everyday interactions and tasks.”
“By continuously adapting to individual user behaviors,” Vena added, “AI can make smart glasses more responsive, useful, and engaging, which could lead to wider consumer adoption.”
Exceptional Audio Quality
Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, a technology consulting firm in San Jose, Calif., shared that he can capture photos of what he’s seeing with the 12-megapixel camera in his Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarers simply by pressing a button on the side of the glasses.
“A new feature lets you share your perspective with friends,” he told TechNewsWorld. “This way, I never miss a photo opportunity without needing to pull out my smartphone.”
“The audio quality from these smart glasses is outstanding,” he noted. “I frequently use this feature to listen to podcasts or music whenever I want, instead of using my AirPods.”
“And when I need directions or information, I just ask, ‘Hey Meta, where’s the nearest breakfast spot?’ and it instantly provides the name, location, and directions,” he added.
