Google and Samsung are preparing a competitor to Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, but with Gemini AI

Samsung is working on creating a competitor to Ray-Ban Meta✴ smart glasses with Google Gemini AI, reports The Information resource. According to the resource, the decision on this was made earlier this year after discussions between Google and Samsung executives about which option was better – to launch the production of full-fledged augmented reality glasses or to develop simpler smart glasses like Ray-Ban Meta✴.

Image source: Ray-Ban

As a result, Google and Samsung executives came to the conclusion that it was necessary to create an inexpensive competitor to Ray-Ban Meta✴ with a basic set of functions and support for Google Gemini AI.

As The Information noted, Samsung and Google may have difficulty selling smart glasses without the cooperation of Meta✴ partner EssilorLuxottica, which has virtually monopolized the global glasses market. Owned by EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban and Oakley are some of the most recognizable brands on the planet.

In July of this year, reports emerged that Google tried to wedge itself into a partnership between EssilorLuxottica and Meta✴, which would have made it easier for it to enter the smart glasses market, but this venture ended in failure for a number of reasons. Last month, Meta✴ and EssilorLuxottica announced a new contract extending their partnership “for the next decade” to develop “multi-generation smart glasses.”

According to The Information, Google and Samsung are also working on a joint project to create a high-end mixed reality headset that can compete with Apple’s Vision Pro. Google is tasked with developing the software, while Samsung is handling the hardware using the Qualcomm XR2+ Gen 2 chipset. According to the latest reports, the release of this headset has been delayed again, this time until 2025.