Betting big on audio wearables

Voice commands will replace fingers, as Google’s new glasses show

- SUGANDHA MUKHERJEE

IN THE PAST decade, wearable technology was imagined as something we could use without moving a finger. Part of this came from the push toward hands-free technology, and part from sci-fi pop culture visions like Black Mirror, which imagined devices seamlessly integrated into daily life.

Screens floating before our eyes, augmented reality layered over the world, tapping on your temple to replay memories from the day. But the latest wave of smart devices suggests the next tech revolution may arrive not just through sight, but through sound and voice.

At Google I/O 2026 held this week, Google unveiled its newest push into intelligent eyewear — AI-powered Android XR smart glasses developed with Samsung and fashion eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. Unlike bulky headsets or immersive AR devices, Google's smart glasses are designed to look almost indistinguishable from regular eyewear while quietly embedding AI into everyday life in a stylish manner.

According to Google, users can ask Gemini questions about their surroundings, receive turn-by-turn directions, send texts, translate speech in real time, listen to music, capture photos and even complete multi-step tasks, all without touching their phone. The interaction happens largely through voice prompts and discreet open-ear speakers built into the frames. In many ways, Google's announcement confirms a broader shift already underway across consumer technology.

From screens to whispers