The buzz from Google IO 2025 is deafening, especially about the new smart glasses announcement! On this episode of Two Voice Devs, Allen Firstenberg and Noble Ackerson — former Google Glass Explorers themselves — dive deep into their first impressions of Google's Project Astra / Android XR / Gemini glasses prototype.
Drawing on their unique experience from the early days of Glass, Allen and Noble discuss the evolution of wearable computing, the collision of conversational AI (Gemini) and spatial computing (Android XR), and what this new device means for the future.
They share their thoughts on the hardware design, the user interface (is it Gemini, Android XR, or both?), and critically examine the product strategy compared to Glass and other devices like the Apple Vision Pro. Most importantly for developers, they ponder the crucial question: what is the developer story here? Is Google providing the necessary tools and documentation, or are we repeating past mistakes?
Tune in for a candid, experienced perspective on Google's latest foray into smart glasses and whether this iteration truly builds on the lessons learned from the past.
0:00:30 - Introduction: Google IO buzz and the glasses question
0:01:16 - Remembering Google Glass: First impressions & the "art of the possible"
0:02:35 - From Glass to Assistant: The evolution of ubiquitous computing
0:03:42 - The Collision: Conversational AI meets Spatial Computing
0:03:58 - First Impressions: Trying on the new Google glasses prototype at IO
0:04:25 - How Glass Shaped Us: Focusing on human factors and product strategy
0:05:44 - The "If You Build It They Will Come" Trap: Why problem-solving is key
0:07:48 - Contrasting with Apple Vision Pro & the "Start with VR" concern
0:09:14 - Breaking Down the Stack: Hardware, Android XR, and Gemini
0:14:24 - Hardware Deep Dive: Weight, balance, optics, and the lower display decision
0:18:38 - UI/Interaction Discussion: Gemini's role, gestures, voice/tap inputs
0:19:37 - The Developer Story: Lack of clarity and need for APIs/documentation
0:27:55 - Rapid Fire: Best thing & Biggest Irk point about the prototype
0:32:16 - The Big Question: Would we buy one today?
0:33:08 - Final Thoughts: Value proposition and learning from Glass
#AndroidXR #Gemini #GoogleGlass #GoogleIO #IO2025 #ProjectAstra #SmartGlasses #WearableTech #SpatialComputing #ConversationalAI #VoiceFirst #VoiceDevs #GlassExplorers #TechPodcast #DeveloperLife #HumanComputerInteraction #ProductStrategy #Google #GoogleDeepMind #DeepMind