Competition Heats Up!, Google Wants To Win Ray-Ban From Meta To Create Gemini Smart Glasses

JAKARTA - Google has reportedly approached the parent company from Ray-Ban glasses to discuss the possible use of Gemini assistants in future smart glasses. Currently, the company has a partnership with Meta for Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, but Google wants to take part in this competition.

According to a report from The Financial Times, Meta is in further talks with Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica to acquire a five percent stake in the company. However, The Verge also reported that Google recently approached the glasses maker about the possibility of using Gemini's assistant on smart glasses in the future.

Sources indicate that Meta will most likely not lose its partnership with EssilorLuxottica to Google. In fact, Meta will most likely invest in the company. It should be noted that Google had previously worked with Luxottica (before joining Essilor) to create a failed Google Glass nearly a decade ago.

This news comes as Google continues to develop its XR platform which is expected to support headsets and smart glasses. Google has teamed up with Samsung and Qualcomm for this device, where the latest reports show that a version of the developer could launch in October before the launch of consumers in the first quarter of 2025.

So, even if Google manages to convince Ray-Ban makers to make Gemini smart glasses, it will take a long time before commercial releases if it uses this platform.

Ray-Ban Meta glasses currently on sale start at $299 offer AI Meta assistants, 12MP cameras with privacy LEDs, live-streaming support, and integrated speakers. Meta also recently updated these smart glasses to offer longer video recording (up to three minutes), as well as support for Amazon Music and the Calm meditation app.

Competition in smart glasses technology is heating up, with Google trying to seize a partnership with Meta's EssilorLuxottica. While Meta is likely to maintain its partnership, Google's move shows how important the smart glasses market is to the tech giant.