Google and Samsung open preorders for their Android XR "Intelligent Eyewear" smart glasses, for $395+ for Warby Parker frames and $449+ for Gentle Monster (Julian Chokkattu/Wired)

Google has unveiled its latest iteration of smart glasses, Intelligent Eyewear, marking its second attempt at the market. The tech giant launched this product in collaboration with frames from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, with pre-orders opening today. The glasses are slated to arrive on December 10.

Intelligent Eyewear is designed for extended wear, unlike the lightweight aesthetic often seen in competitor products. The frames weigh between 40-44 grams, evenly distributed for comfort. A noteworthy feature is their 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, capable of capturing photos and videos in 3K at 30FPS or 1080p resolution. Image stabilization and HDR processing enhance the quality of these recordings.

Four microphones in the glasses work together to capture spatial audio, providing clear voice recognition. The audio is served through two open-ear speakers that create a balanced listening experience. Users can control the glasses with a touchpad, which responds to taps and swipes, or through voice commands using a new "Hey Gemini" hotword.

Voice control isn't the only interaction method; Google's new system also integrates with Pixel Watch or Galaxy Watch for seamless control. Fitbit Air is expected to be compatible in the coming year. The glasses feature a physical power switch for convenience, turning them into regular glasses when turned off.

Privacy is a focus for Google in this product. A white indicator light signals when photos or videos are being recorded, which are saved to the device's gallery. If the light is covered or unintentionally disabled, the glasses will automatically stop recording, and Google will perform a hardware check upon charging. Recording also ceases when the glasses are removed from the face.

Gemini commands that involve the camera, such as visual search or translation, are designed not to save images or videos to Google's Gemini History. These visuals are not used for AI model training or ad targeting. Moreover, Gemini will automatically redact bystanders' faces from recorded visuals before processing them.

The glasses are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chipset, paired with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. They support Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 6E, and offer IPX4 water resistance. Samsung engineered the hardware, while two eyewear brands are responsible for the design: Warby Parker and Gentle Monster.

Warby Parker's version, also named Intelligent Eyewear, is available in three styles and 14 variations, priced starting at $395. This includes optical and sun models in colors like Pine, Saddle, and Jet Black. Gentle Monster's collection, meanwhile, includes six frames in bold colors (dark red, pink, gray, and yellow) with 16 total variations, priced starting at $449. These frames are available in tinted, clear, blue, or brown lenses, with prescription lenses available for most designs.