The Naming Conundrum for High-Tech Eyewear

Last week, during Google's demonstration of Project Aura, I posed a seemingly straightforward query: What label should these advanced eyewear devices carry? The inquiry sparked an animated discussion about the classification of these glasses-shaped technological marvels.

The term 'smart glasses' appears to have fallen out of favor. Now 'AI glasses' is being considered, though not everyone appears to agree on this naming standard.

Let's revisit the origins. Earlier this year, a communications figure from Meta suggested I refer to their collaboration with Ray-Ban as “AI glasses.” Both Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, and CTO, Andrew Bosworth, have touted these glasses as ideal carriers of artificial intelligence. Labeling these spectacles as such serves two purposes: it differentiates them from previous tech like Google Glass and also emphasizes their AI capabilities over augmented reality.

As a journalist, promoting marketing rhetoric isn't my role, and there wasn't consensus in the industry about this designation. When I investigated further, the term for computer-enhanced spectacles was meant as a multi-functional tool similar to smartphones or a device offering snippets of digital information integrated with visual perspective.

I discovered during Google's Project Aura showcase that they, too, are considering 'AI glasses' but not universally across their product lines. Google's head of product management for XR, Juston Payne, explained that AI glasses are lightweight, style-focused eyewear that may or may not have displays, with AI being a key feature of their operation.

For Project Aura, Google's solution adheres more to a headset-like categorization in a glasses framework. Their press release specified these as 'wired XR glasses,' indicating a connection with a tethering system rather than being standalone AI-driven devices.

Unraveling Categories in Eyewear Tech

This categorization puzzle extends further. Project Aura partners with Xreal, a company that prides its creations as hybrid models between good old-fashioned headsets and emerging AI glasses.

In a conversation with Xreal’s CEO, Chi Xu, he humorously dubbed all their current and former devices as 'AR glasses', adding another layer to this multifaceted terminology.

Recalling discussions with analysts from Gartner, Counterpoint Research, and IDC, it was clear that 'smart glasses' definitions varied significantly. Gartner saw them as camera-less, display-free spectacles connected via Bluetooth—essentially advanced auditory equipment. Counterpoint identified the absence of see-through displays as key. Meanwhile, IDC opened the criteria to any eyewear with the glasses form, a far cry from stereotypical Iron Man or Eggsy-type augmented reality spectacles.

In essence, the industry is experiencing a naming and conceptual shift.

Previously, the categorization revolved around virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). VR immerses one completely in a digital realm, whereas AR integrates digital elements into the real world environment. More recently, mixed reality (MR) and extended reality (XR) have entered the fray. MR merges digital and tangibles, while XR encompasses the entire range of realities.

Traditionally, the form factor was a reliable indicator of the type of reality involved. VR was the domain of headsets, AR lent itself to eyewear. Yet, this distinction is blurring with modern devices straddling these categories. Labels like Samsung Galaxy XR epitomize this convergence.

The challenge remains: finding a unified branding concept seems elusive at this time, with AI glasses gradually gaining acceptance.

AI glasses are envisioned as stylish, everyday wear, functional even without charge. Intended as secondary devices like smartwatches, they serve primarily for concise interactions and alerts, unlike headsets meant for specific, extended applications.

Headsets align with episodic engagement, meant for occasional activity rather than constant wear, largely finding uses in entertainment or professional settings requiring multiple screens. Although designs are becoming more eyewear-oriented, such devices remain distinct in their episodic nature.

Ultimately, 'AI glasses' as a concept hasn't fully convinced me yet. While 'smart glasses' may no longer suffice, the evolution of these devices invites creativity in labeling. Perhaps in the future, clearer terms will emerge to specify features such as displays, AI integration, or connectivity.

As we await a persistent naming standard, I remain curious: how exactly do we christen the next wave of AI-enhanced eyewear technology?