Google is getting back into the smart glasses game. The company announced it will launch its first AI-powered glasses in 2026, creating a direct challenge to Meta’s successful Ray-Ban glasses. Teaming up with hardware partners like Samsung and Warby Parker, Google plans to release audio-only versions that connect to its Gemini assistant, as well as models with an in-lens display for functions like navigation and translation. Co-founder Sergey Brin acknowledged past failures, stating that today’s advanced AI presents new opportunities. The move heats up the competition in the growing AI wearables market, where Snap and Alibaba are also contenders.