Episode 240: I/O Eyewear - From Google Glass to Gemini

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 question0:01:16 - Remembering Google Glass: First impressions & the "art of the possible"0:02:35 - From Glass to Assistant: The evolution of ubiquitous computing0:03:42 - The Collision: Conversational AI meets Spatial Computing0:03:58 - First Impressions: Trying on the new Google glasses prototype at IO0:04:25 - How Glass Shaped Us: Focusing on human factors and product strategy0:05:44 - The "If You Build It They Will Come" Trap: Why problem-solving is key0:07:48 - Contrasting with Apple Vision Pro & the "Start with VR" concern0:09:14 - Breaking Down the Stack: Hardware, Android XR, and Gemini0:14:24 - Hardware Deep Dive: Weight, balance, optics, and the lower display decision0:18:38 - UI/Interaction Discussion: Gemini's role, gestures, voice/tap inputs0:19:37 - The Developer Story: Lack of clarity and need for APIs/documentation0:27:55 - Rapid Fire: Best thing & Biggest Irk point about the prototype0:32:16 - 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