Trying out Google’s Intelligent Eyewear Android
One of the inherent advantages of Android Glasses XR over third-party options is native integration. This is something we see frequently, and perhaps most famously on smartwatches.
The “Glasses” app on Android/Pixel, iOS and Samsung Galaxy devices is extremely simple. Although we can’t show you the full app yet because the one we were able to try wasn’t completely final, it’s a very simple experience.
The app opens with a preview of your glasses to show their connection and battery status, with settings below for Gemini, apps, camera, and more. You’ll also be able to see things like what the different lights on the glasses mean, tutorials, and more. There’s no bloat and no hassle – it’s a utility that simply allows you to make adjustments or control the glasses as needed.
You will probably use this app primarily to view photos and videos captured on the Android XR glasses. Google has set this feature to automatically import photos in near real-time. The import only takes about 4 seconds and the process starts immediately for photos. Videos, on the other hand, take longer and may need to be imported manually (partly for battery reasons, Google mentioned).
There are some differences between the three main platforms. The iPhone app doesn’t import photos as quickly and Samsung has its own app to accommodate the One UI design language for Galaxy users, but the basic principle is the same for all three.
Although we’ll have to see how this works in real life, I was blown away by the simplicity of it all, although maybe that’s because the bar is below the ground.
Meta’s Ray-Bans (and newer Meta Glasses) are dominating the smart glasses conversation, and I think enforcement is one of the biggest issues. This is definitely one of the main reasons why I’ve barely touched my Wayfarers these past few months. Indeed, at the beginning of 2025, Meta replaced its dedicated “View” application for its glasses with a Meta AI application, which is simply invasive and in bad taste in my opinion. Meta is no stranger to shoving AI down the throats of its existing users. Another well-known initiative was the conversion of Facebook and Instagram searches into AI search boxes with scary levels of context and invasive actions – this makes Google’s AI previews look tame in comparison. But I would say the most aggressive was that movement with his glasses. Something as simple as changing a setting or uploading a photo now requires you to avoid an AI chatbot.
Really, Meta’s app is the worstand I applaud Google for creating a very simple utility for the Android XR glasses.
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