Google, Meta and Snap think this tech is the next big thing

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🗞️ Driving the news: Tech giants including Google, Meta, and Snap are investing heavily in a new generation of AI-powered smart glasses, positioning them as the next frontier in consumer technology
• Snap (see sustainability performance) recently announced plans to launch its own AI-integrated eyewear in 2026, following Meta's success with Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, which have sold two million units since 2023

🔭 The context: Smart glasses have previously struggled to gain traction — Google Glass in the early 2010s was hampered by high costs, poor design, and limited functionality
• However, recent advances in artificial intelligence, particularly in computer vision and conversational capabilities, have reignited interest in the sector
• The convergence of AI and wearable tech now promises a far more interactive and seamless user experience

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: AI-enabled smart glasses could transform how people access information, potentially reducing reliance on smartphones and encouraging more sustainable device ecosystems
• However, environmental concerns around the production and disposal of new tech products remain, highlighting the need for responsible design and circular economy strategies as adoption grows

⏭️ What's next: Snap's 2026 launch joins Apple’s expected entry into the smart glasses market and Amazon’s exploration of AI-integrated eyewear
• These developments could significantly reshape the wearables landscape, especially as consumers grow more selective about device utility and affordability
• Analysts project smart glasses shipments could rise from 3.3 million in 2024 to nearly 13 million by 2026, underscoring growing market momentum

💬 One quote: “Many in the industry believe that the smartphone will eventually be replaced by glasses or something similar to it,” — Jitesh Ubrani, analyst at IDC

📈 One stat: ABI Research forecasts smart glasses shipments to nearly quadruple from 3.3 million in 2024 to 13 million by 2026

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Snap, Meta, Alphabet and their peers Apple, and Amazon

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