Google I/O Buried Google Glass — And Launched Something Better

InnovationAIGoogle I/O Buried Google Glass — And Launched Something BetterByCortney Harding,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Cortney is an expert in smartglasses, VR, AI, and the future of work.Follow AuthorMay 19, 2026, 03:31pm EDTMOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA - MAY 19: Google Vice President of Android XR Shahram Izadi speaks during the keynote address at Google I/O on May 19, 2026 in Mountain View, California. The two day developers conference highlights Google's new products and technologies including their AI developments. (Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)Getty ImagesFourteen years ago, Sergey Brin parachuted into Google I/O to announce Google Glass. As anyone with a passing knowledge of technology knows by now, there were probably some days in the next few years where Brin wished his parachute had failed, because Google Glass was roundly considered a failure on the commercial level, and the consumer version of the product was sunsetted only a few years later (an enterprise version hung on for several years after). Among other issues, Google Glass was simply not attractive or cool, and people wearing them earned the derisive nickname “glassholes.”With today’s announcements at Google I/O, the glasshole era officially comes to an end. The announcement about the glasses, dubbed “intelligent eyewear,” led with form; Google announced partnerships with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, and the glasses look virtually indistinguishable from glasses someone would wear every day. This will serve Google well as it competes with Meta for market share; Meta has partnered with Ray-Bans and Mark Zuckerberg’s recent appearance at the Met Gala points to deals with other fashion brands in the eyewear space. So the form is set; what about the function? Those of us who are excited about display glasses will have to wait until 2027 to see what Google is building, but the audio glasses releasing later this year still offer plenty...