Google's experimental Android XR glasses come equipped with an integrated camera and a touch-sensitive arm adorned with speakers. (Image Credit: Nandagopal Rajan/Indian Express)
The highlight of the Google I/O keynote for me was undoubtedly the closing segment—the Android XR announcements, which featured the reintroduction of what many recall as Google Glass. When an opportunity arose to try out the Glasses at a demonstration area, I eagerly joined the queue without giving it a second thought.
While waiting in line, a member of the Android XR team removed my glasses to check their power. By the time it was my turn for the demonstration a short while later, they had prepared a customized lens for me.
The Glasses, though a prototype, are comfortable to wear and not really heavy. They have an inbuilt camera, a touch-sensitive temple lined with speakers. The right lens had a small prism on which I could see the time and temperature. As you tap the temple, Gemini wakes up and is ready for your queries. You tap again to pause Gemini.
My first demo was with a painting on the wall as I asked the Glasses to identify the painter. Soon, I could hear a detailed explanation on the painter, with the text of what Gemini was saying showing up on the in-lens display. This took some time for me to adjust to as I use progressive lenses to help me with reading too. But in a few seconds, I could see the text clearly, though this does come in the way of what you are seeing. I think a lot of users might prefer to be guided only by voice when they use the XR Glasses full time.
These sample glasses are not weighty. (Image Credit: Nandagopal Rajan)
Then I walked over to another demo zone where I was staring at a very unique coffee machine. I asked Gemini how I could make an Espresso with this contraption. The Glasses immediately started telling me how to use the machine. But this is where I found the text coming on the lens a bit of an irritant — again voice would be perfect in a situation where I just needed instructions.
During the subsequent demonstration, I requested the Android XR Glasses to summarize a page from a Lonely Planet travel guide. Once more, they provided a brief overview of the Southern Alps, which would have greatly reduced my reading time.
That’s when I deviated from the script and requested it to count the apples in a bowl on the table. "There are six apples," replied the system. It took me some time to acknowledge that Gemini was correct since I had believed there were many more apples present. Additionally, there were four pears, and the device performed well in distinguishing and tallying up the apples.
The demonstration was brief, only a few minutes long, yet it created a profound impact and showcased the true potential of using an AI assistant such as Gemini for daily tasks. With it, you can open any application on your device, snap pictures, and compose responses to emails and texts. However, one feature that elevates its utility further still is its capacity to recall every detail captured by the camera rather than relying solely on human memory. This capability turns into a sort of time machine for personal experiences; imagine retracing steps from several days ago to find out where you placed your locker key or precisely how a conversation with a friend unfolded during a disagreement. The opportunities seem boundless.
Keep in mind that what I tested was just a prototype; the end result will likely be far superior. I'm looking forward to purchasing one once they perfect the lens alignment for prescriptions like mine.
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