SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Smart glasses are drawing scrutiny over cheating risks in exam halls while emerging as a new battleground for consumer technology. Samsung Electronics is joining the race with AI-powered eyewear developed alongside Google, Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.
The South Korean tech giant unveiled 30 models in New York on Thursday, betting that Google's Gemini AI assistant and its Galaxy ecosystem can help turn everyday eyewear into a hands-free computing device.
Unlike conventional smart glasses focused on photography and audio, Samsung's new eyewear is designed to serve as a hands-free AI assistant, allowing users to ask questions about their surroundings, translate foreign-language menus and receive navigation guidance through Google's Gemini.
The glasses can also photograph meeting notes on a whiteboard and generate summaries that are saved directly to Samsung Notes on a connected Galaxy smartphone.
The launch underscores Samsung's push to extend its Galaxy ecosystem into wearable AI devices, using a split-computing architecture that shares processing tasks between the glasses and a connected phone.
Weighing approximately 41 grams, the eyewear features a 12-megapixel camera, two open-ear speakers and four microphones, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 platform. Samsung claims up to nine hours of battery life on a single charge and up to 72 hours with the charging case.
The company has also introduced privacy safeguards, including an external recording indicator that automatically disables the camera if obstructed.
In South Korea, only the Gentle Monster collection will be available at launch, priced between 650,000 won and 700,000 won ($440–$475). Both brands' collections will be sold in the United States.
Preorders began Thursday, with the glasses scheduled to reach stores on Dec. 10.
Candice Kim
Candice Kim is a dedicated business and technology reporter specializing in the intersection of high-tech innovation and fast-paced consumer trends. Her core beats span the semiconductor, IT, cosmetics, and retail sectors, where she provides in-depth coverage of industry titans including Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and LG Electronics, alongside leading consumer brands like Olive Young and Musinsa. Whether analyzing complex silicon supply chains or tracking the latest shifts in beauty and fashion retail, Candice is committed to delivering sharp, accurate reporting that keeps readers informed on the forces shaping today's most dynamic markets.
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