Gentle Monster plans a December launch for its Google-powered smart glasses.
Gentle Monster says pre-orders open on November 12 for its Google-powered eyewear, with a Joaquin Phoenix film supporting the launch.
Gentle Monster plans to launch its Android XR glasses in December, with pre-orders opening on November 12. The Korean eyewear brand announced the launch month and listed the pre-order date on its website.
The November date also matches one that fellow eyewear partner Warby Parker appeared to disclose accidentally on Thursday. However, Google has not confirmed either the pre-order date or the December launch.
Gentle Monster and Warby Parker are working with Google on the project, alongside Samsung. Their eyewear will compete with Meta’s smart glasses while marking a return to the category for Google after Google Glass.
Meanwhile, Gentle Monster has teased a promotional short film starring Joaquin Phoenix and directed by Jonathan Glazer. The brand plans to release the full film in mid-November, ahead of the collection’s arrival.
Android XR glasses take an audio-first approach
Gentle Monster and Warby Parker’s glasses will use a display-free, audio-first version of Google’s Android XR operating system. They should also offer access to Gemini, Google’s AI assistant.
The wider Android XR platform supports different types of wearable technology, not just audio-focused glasses. It powers the mixed reality experience on Samsung’s Galaxy XR and the augmented reality experience offered by Xreal Aura.
For the eyewear launch, Gentle Monster calls its collection “Intelligent Eyewear”. Its teaser takes an experimental cinematic approach rather than presenting a straightforward product commercial.
Glazer’s films include Under the Skin and The Zone of Interest. Phoenix, meanwhile, starred in Her, playing a man who falls in love with an artificial intelligence system.
