Google and Gentle Monster Just Made the Coolest Smart Glasses on Earth
At the 2025 Google I/O Developer Conference, Google made an announcement: it’s partnering with South Korean eyewear powerhouse Gentle Monster to create a cutting-edge line of AI-powered smart glasses running on the Android XR platform. The collaboration signals more than just a fusion of fashion and tech—it marks the arrival of wearables that are as stylish as they are smart.
This partnership aims to deliver AI glasses that balance practical everyday utility with avant-garde design. Built on the Android XR platform, the glasses will integrate features like voice assistance, real-time translation, and visual recognition. Gentle Monster brings their signature futurist aesthetic into the mix, crafting frames that are lightweight, sleek, and tailored for Asian facial features—all without compromising on bold visual appeal. The result? A wearable that doesn’t just perform—it makes a statement.
This isn’t the first time eyewear has dabbled in smart tech. Ray-Ban previously teamed up with Meta for the Ray-Ban Stories, which included camera and calling features, but ultimately landed in a niche corner of the market. Google, too, launched the now-defunct Google Glass, which never quite gained mainstream traction due to design limitations, privacy concerns, and a lack of polish. This new venture with Gentle Monster aims to break that mold—bringing extended reality (XR) technology out of the lab and into the rhythm of daily life.
Gentle Monster has had no shortage of cultural buzz lately—from the viral Jentle series with Jennie to their double-frame collab with Maison Margiela. Most recently, they dropped a limited-edition pair of sunglasses in G-Dragon’s new “Too Bad” music video. Now, with Google in their corner, they’re proving once again that they’re masters of the high-impact collaboration—this time, fusing fashion and future-forward tech.
The full specs and release date of the Google x Gentle Monster smart glasses are still under wraps. But one thing’s clear: the next generation of wearables isn’t just about function—it’s about style meeting utility, seamlessly integrated into the fabric of our lives. How will it change the way we interact with the world? Stay tuned—we’re just getting started.
First published on gq.com.tw
