First impressions of smart glasses with a display: the Even Realities G2

Key Points:

• Apple is expected to announce its first-generation Apple Glasses at WWDC 2027, featuring a camera for visual intelligence, voice notifications, message reading, and translation capabilities, but without a display.
• Future Apple Glasses models, possibly arriving around 2028, are anticipated to include displays that could provide augmented reality (AR) navigation and other heads-up information, potentially complementing or replacing devices like the Apple Watch.
• The Even Realities G2 smart glasses offer a preview of display-equipped smart glasses, featuring waveguide technology for a green monochrome display, and functionalities including conversation transcription, AI Q&A, translation, notifications, and turn-by-turn navigation.
• Key practical benefits observed with the G2 glasses include enhanced navigation for walking and cycling, natural-feeling language translation, and convenient notifications, though some features like AI Q&A and teleprompter are less relevant to everyday users.
• Safety concerns arise from potential distraction caused by the display while moving, and the cost and willingness to wear glasses full-time remain significant factors influencing the adoption of smart glasses for users who do not normally wear eyewear.