Google’s Android XR Demo at TED2025: A Glimpse into the Future of Smart Glasses

At TED2025, Shahram Izadi from Google gave an exciting live demo of the company’s latest innovation: Android XR, a new platform designed for smart glasses and mixed-reality headsets.

What is Android XR?

Android XR is a software platform that connects smart glasses to your smartphone. It allows you to access all your apps directly through the glasses, like having your phone screen floating in front of your eyes, hands-free.

The Smart Glasses Prototype

During the demo, Izadi showed off a prototype of Google’s smart glasses. These glasses were not just for show; they actually worked. He used them to view his speaker notes on stage, proving that the glasses can display real-time information right in front of your eyes.

One great feature is that these glasses support prescription lenses, so people who wear glasses for vision can still use them comfortably.

Built-in AI with Gemini

What makes Android XR even more powerful is its deep integration with Google’s Gemini AI. With this, users can:

• Talk to the glasses using natural language

• Get real-time translations

• Interact with the world around them in smarter ways

It’s like having an AI assistant always with you, right in your line of sight.

Why It Matters

This new technology shows that Google is serious about the future of smart wearables. With Android XR, Google is making a strong comeback in the smart glasses market, focusing on real-world usefulness, comfort, and powerful AI features.

If you ever dreamed of wearing glasses that work like those in a sci-fi movie, this might be the beginning of that reality.