Google unveils camera-equipped AI glasses with privacy safeguards for wearers

Google has announced a new range of smart glasses made with Samsung, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, returning to a market it left after the failure of Google Glass. The camera-equipped glasses use Gemini for questions about what wearers see and spoken directions, while Google says privacy controls will help prevent intrusive recording.

The nine styles have no heads-up display and include a 12-megapixel camera activated by button or voice. Warby Parker’s frames start at $395 and Gentle Monster’s at $449; both offer prescription and sunglass lenses, up to nine hours of battery life and charging cases. Pre-orders are open, with sales and deliveries due from 10 December. Google says a tamper-resistant light signals recording, strangers’ faces are redacted before images are sent to Gemini, and camera content is not saved to Gemini history or used for AI training or targeted ads. Audio recordings and transcripts of Gemini conversations are saved, however, and Google’s terms prohibit recording people without permission or in sensitive places.