Despite Google Glass's innovative concept, supply chain challenges proved to be a significant factor in its downfall. Brin admitted he "didn't know anything about consumer electronic supply chains" when developing the product, which led to manufacturing difficulties and pricing issues.12 The inability to produce smart glasses at a reasonable price point ultimately limited consumer adoption, with the high cost becoming one of the primary barriers to widespread acceptance.34

For the revitalized Android XR glasses initiative, Google has adopted a different approach by partnering with established industry players. The company is now working with Samsung, Xreal, Warby Parker, and other partners who bring expertise in manufacturing, hardware design, and eyewear.56 This strategic shift acknowledges the complexities of smart glasses production, which requires balancing advanced components (displays, processors, sensors, batteries) in a small form factor while managing costs.4 By leveraging these partnerships, Google aims to overcome the supply chain obstacles that hampered the original Google Glass, potentially enabling more affordable and consumer-friendly smart eyewear.27

Google Glass faced intense criticism over privacy concerns, becoming one of the major factors in its commercial failure. The device's ability to record photos and videos discreetly sparked widespread public backlash, with critics dubbing users "Glassholes"1 for potentially capturing footage of others without consent. This privacy anxiety wasn't merely theoretical—businesses including restaurants, bars, casinos, and hospitals proactively banned the device from their premises23, fearing unauthorized recording of sensitive information, personal moments, or proprietary systems.

The privacy implications extended beyond social discomfort to genuine security risks. Researchers demonstrated that Google Glass could be hijacked through malicious QR codes4, potentially allowing attackers to spy on users' connections and uploads. Security experts even developed methods to steal smartphone passwords by tracking finger shadows through Glass1. Despite Google's attempts to address these concerns, including adding visual recording indicators, the public remained skeptical—a 2014 survey revealed that 72% of Americans wouldn't buy Google Glass specifically because of privacy concerns5. This overwhelming rejection highlighted a crucial lesson for wearable technology: no matter how innovative a product might be, consumer adoption depends heavily on addressing fundamental social and privacy considerations.

Project Astra represents Google's vision for an advanced AI assistant that integrates seamlessly with Android XR glasses. Unveiled at Google I/O 2025, Project Astra aims to create an immersive, helpful experience by allowing AI to see the world as users do through smart glasses.12 The technology first appeared on the Samsung Galaxy S25 series with features like screen sharing and live video streaming, enabling Gemini to reason about what users see on their phones or in the surrounding environment.34

Google's partnerships for Android XR glasses extend beyond hardware manufacturers to eyewear brands. The company has teamed up with Warby Parker (with a commitment of up to $150 million) and Gentle Monster to create stylish smart glasses,56 while collaborating with Xreal on Project Aura—lightweight optical see-through glasses featuring a 70-degree field of view and Snapdragon XR chipsets.78 These glasses will support various AI capabilities including real-time translation, map overlays, search queries, and even helping users locate misplaced items around their homes.97 Though most of these products won't be available until after 2025, Google has already begun limited testing with trusted testers as it positions Android XR as "the next frontier for Gemini, and for AI."710