Smart glasses have returned to the technological spotlight thanks to Google's renewed commitment, which unveiled a revolutionary prototype known as Google Martha at its Google I/O 2025 event. After years of discretion and the memory of the first Google Glass, the technology giant now seeks to lead the augmented reality market and expand its artificial intelligence solutions, integrating Android XR and Gemini in a new format aimed at both utility and fashion.
In this article, we'll tell you in detail everything we know so far about Google Martha, its technology, features, Google's strategy and collaborations, the state of development, and how it compares to other current offerings. If you're looking for a complete and up-to-date look at the future of Google's smart glasses, you'll find it all here, clearly explained.
The return of Google's smart glasses: context and news
Google has revived interest in smart glasses by unveiling the Google Martha prototype at Google I/O 2025. This is a project that captures the experience and lessons learned from the modest introduction of Google Glass, with the firm intention of overcoming past mistakes and launching a useful, aesthetically pleasing product packed with smart features.
This prototype runs the Android XR operating system, developed specifically for extended reality (XR) devices such as glasses and headsets, and is powered by Gemini, Google's generative AI. Everything indicates that what is currently just a prototype will lay the groundwork for future business models, as has happened in other technology sectors.
Why is Google called Martha?
The term 'Google Martha' is the internal codename (or prototype name) that Google and its engineers assigned to this device during its development. The name came to light after investigation by specialized media and the leak of an image of the glasses' companion app, shared by developer Sayed Ali Alkamel. These types of codenames are very common in the industry during the development phase of new products and don't always reach the final consumer, but they help identify progress and differentiate between different internal projects.
Google Technology Martha: Android XR and Gemini
The Google Martha glasses are based on Android XR, an operating system created from scratch by Google adapted to the needs of extended reality. Android XR inherits some of the flexibility and ecosystem of Android on mobile, but natively accommodates voice interaction, gestures, and immersive interfaces. This allows for a completely different experience than that of smartphones or smartwatches.
The other big key is Gemini, Google's generative AI deeply integrated into the system. Thanks to Gemini, users can interact with the glasses using natural language, receive contextual responses, real-time translation, object and location recognition, and manage everyday tasks proactively and contextually.
What features and options do they offer?
- Real-time notifications: Receive messages, alerts, or events directly in your field of vision, without taking your phone out of your pocket.
- Contextual AI Assistant (Gemini): It allows you to make all kinds of queries, interact via voice, and obtain useful information based on your immediate surroundings.
- Configuration management and adjustment: From the companion app, you can modify settings related to privacy, the visual experience, or AI performance.
- Recording user view: There is a specific function to capture video of what the user sees, recording both the outside scene and the glasses interface.
- Feedback and troubleshooting: Options to submit suggestions, report bugs, and contribute to device improvements during the development phase.
- Recognition and simultaneous translation: Gemini allows you to identify objects in real time, translate texts and conversations from other languages, and instantly erase language barriers.
Design details: a screen on the right lens
The Google Martha prototype features a display only on the right lens, a decision that differentiates it from other devices that use dual screens or rely solely on audio. This monocular design allows for a lighter, more natural experience, although it has the peculiarity that if you close your right eye, you lose digital vision.
Google has clarified that the use of the HUD (Head-Up Display) will be optional in future commercial models.Thus, there will be glasses focused solely on voice or audio interaction, and others, more advanced, that will include a HUD to display real-time information overlays. This also opens the door to a diverse range of prices aimed at different user profiles.
Key collaborations: fashion, design and technology alliances
One of Google's most important goals is to avoid the aesthetic and usability failure of the previous Google Glass, now collaborating with leading fashion and design brands such as Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. The integration of fashion and technology aims to transform these glasses from a flashy gadget into a coveted accessory. At the same time, the collaboration with Samsung aims for a coordinated hardware and software strategy to create a benchmark platform that other manufacturers can adopt in the future.
There are even mentions of agreements with companies such as Kering Eyewear, which shows the intention to reach the general public with glasses that people really want to wear every day.The traditional design, similar to that of conventional sunglasses, will differentiate you from the bulky and inconspicuous devices of past generations.
Comparison with the competition: Meta, Apple, XReal and other manufacturers
The smart glasses market is in full swing, and Google isn't the only major player. The Ray-Ban Meta, promoted by Meta (Facebook), has been very well received thanks to its lightness and smart features, emphasizing fashion and comfort. Meta is already working on glasses with HUDs and gesture controls, in addition to its recent partnership with Oakley for sports devices.
Apple is also developing its own smart glasses, with rumors of a possible debut around 2027, and XREAL (formerly Nreal) already has augmented reality offerings on the market. Xiaomi and Baidu, major Chinese technology icons, are also investing in this type of device.
The main difference in Google's proposal is the deep integration with Gemini and the development of Android XR as an open operating system, which could facilitate the proliferation of models and functionalities for different users.
User experience and practical usability
One of the historical challenges of smart glasses has been the user experience, design, and actual utility in everyday life. Google Martha aims to solve these problems by offering a traditional experience in terms of aesthetics, but with a revolutionary functionality: receive notifications, view AI information, record what you see, translate in real time, navigate the city, and much more, all without having to look at your phone.
The system relies on voice and gesture interaction, with a clear, accessible, and customizable interface, always taking into account privacy and control of personal data. The user can define what information they share, what notifications they want to receive, and adjust various parameters from the associated mobile application.
An important detail is the focus on privacy and data protection, announced as a pillar during Google I/O 2025. Transparency and user control aim to avoid the controversies that have arisen in the past with the recording and transmission of unauthorized images.
Development phase, prototypes and roadmap
Currently, Google Martha is a working prototype not intended for public sale, although demonstrations have been given at events such as Google I/O and TED2025. The company hasn't announced a definitive launch date, but the first commercial devices, developed in collaboration with Samsung, are expected to arrive in 2026.
Meanwhile, other projects such as Samsung Project Moohan and XReal Project Aura are moving forward in parallel and could be released sooner. Google remains cautious and isn't promising dates, learning from past mistakes with premature releases of unfinished products.
This open development phase allows Google to test key features, refine the design and user experience, and integrate feedback from developers who have already tested the prototypes.
Impact on the user and the future of digital interaction
Google's commitment to smart glasses goes beyond launching a trendy gadget: it seeks to transform the relationship between people and digital information. If the integration of AI, attractive design, and usability live up to expectations, we could be witnessing a paradigm shift where the mobile phone will no longer be the central device of everyday life. Mark Zuckerberg already predicts that by 2030 we'll barely take our phones out of our pockets because we'll do everything through glasses and voice.
Success will depend on Google and its partners' ability to balance utility, convenience, privacy, price, and appeal, and this will only be possible with a powerful combination of technology, design, and an open ecosystem. Share the information and more people will know about Google Martha.