Nothing Technology plans AI smart glasses for 2027 as Carl Pei shifts to multidevice strategy

Device Startup Nothing Technology Plans to Release AI Glasses Next Year

Nothing Technology Ltd. is working on artificial intelligence-enhanced smart glasses, looking to expand its lineup beyond smartphones and audio gear. The London-based startup is planning to release the glasses during the first half of 2027, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Nothing is also working on new earbuds for later this year with AI-focused features, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans haven't been announced. Nothing Chief Executive Officer Carl Pei was initially resistant to launching glasses, but he recently told employees that he's now focused on a multidevice strategy, the people said. There's a growing field of companies pursuing smart glasses, with Alphabet Inc.'s Google and Apple Inc. looking to challenge Meta Platforms Inc. in the market. Nothing's glasses -- outfitted with cameras, microphones and speakers -- will rely on smartphones and the cloud to handle AI processing. The idea is to help automate tasks and offer a more personalized experience. Nothing is known for its unique aesthetic: The startup's phones have arrays of LED lights and transparent backs, and its headphones feature square-shaped ear pads. The company is planning to apply that same design approach to the glasses, according to the people. The company recently released two new phones, a low-end 4a and a mid-tier 4a Pro. But Nothing held off on updating its flagship 3 model, which competes with phones from Apple and Samsung Electronics Co. at the higher end. The 4a's reception has been positive due to its pricing and design. Nothing has been focused on growing in emerging markets, including India and parts of Europe, but hasn't made a dent in the US. Last year, the company raised a Series C funding round worth $200 million, bringing its total valuation to $1.3 billion. Its backers include GV, formerly Google Ventures, and Qualcomm Ventures. While Nothing remains small compared with other device makers, it has developed a niche following among technology enthusiasts and developers. Pei was the co-founder of OnePlus, a popular China-based brand that is owned by Oppo. AI advancements have been core to Nothing's strategy. The company recently released a tool for its phones that allows customers to create home screen widgets using vibe coding, an AI-assisted form of programming. The widgets can then be shared with other Nothing users. The company has also integrated AI throughout its operating system, letting it handle tasks such as analyzing voice memos and screenshots. Apple, meanwhile, is planning to release glasses early next year as well, Bloomberg News has reported. It's planning a slew of AI wearable devices that will use computer-vision cameras to analyze the environment and feed data into the Siri digital assistant. This week, Meta announcedBloomberg Terminal new versions of its Ray-Ban glasses with a focus on prescription wearers. And Google and Samsung are planning to roll out their glasses this year. But it remains a nascent market. None of the upcoming models will feature augmented reality displays -- the ultimate goal of smart glasses.

Nothing plans to release AI smart glasses next year after CEO Carl Pei changes mind

Nothing seems ready to expand beyond aesthetically niche phones into AI smart glasses. The company initially rejected the idea, but has since opened up to developing more devices as companies like Google and Samsung plan glasses under the Android XR umbrella. According to a report from Bloomberg that cites unnamed industry sources, Nothing has plans to release AI smart glasses in 2027. Prior to that launch window in the first half of next year, the company is still expected to stay on target for more familiar devices, like new earbuds and phones. The report indicates that Nothing's AI glasses would house a microphone, speakers, and cameras. There's nothing stating that the glasses would offer a display. As new as a first-generation device would be for the smartphone manufacturer, this is completely understandable. Bloomberg says Nothing's AI smart glasses are expected to "rely on smartphones and the cloud to handle AI processing," which implies a connected device with an internet connection is needed. It could also mean that Nothing plans to position the glasses as a proprietary companion to its phones. There's little information to predict either. Carl Pei reportedly initially resisted the idea, according to those insider sources. The CEO has since come around to the idea and has told employees that the company is focused on expanding to more devices beyond what it currently offers. The company currently only produces audio devices and Android phones, like its recently announced Nothing Phone 4(a). But the types of phones it produces offer a very unique look, with LED strips strewn across the phones and unique camera setups with rear-facing displays. If Nothing were to develop smart glasses built on an AI assistant/agent, it'd be expected that their design fits into the mold laid by previous releases. That certainly means the market gains a little variety with what could only be a unique look. The market has historically - no matter how short that history is - been utilitarian. Meta only recently announced several new designs to pad out its look options. Of course, there are other entries on the Android XR side of things planned. Samsung's "Galaxy Glasses" were recently leaked following continued reports of Google's own Android XR glasses teasers. Nothing's iteration sounds incredibly similar, following reports that Google's glasses will carry similar hardware. The differentiator will be AI implementation. Android XR will utilize Gemini. Sources have remained quiet on design and software. And as for what the "AI" in these AI smart glasses looks like, Nothing's more recent outlook on using AI agents as opposed to assistants may leave some clues.

Nothing is eyeing AI smart glasses, too. I'm hoping they're see-through and light up

Are we finally getting transparent glasses with glyph lights on them? Do it, Nothing! The smart glasses race will be white hot next year, and it seems UK-based upstart Nothing wants a piece of the pie, as well. According to Bloomberg, the company is planning to launch AI-powered smart glasses next year, joining the likes of Meta (and soon, Samsung) in the game. A sassy rival to the ubiquitous Meta? "The London-based startup is planning to release the glasses during the first half of 2027, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Nothing is also working on new earbuds for later this year with AI-focused features," says the report. Notably, these smart glasses will skip a built-in display, and will merely put a speaker, mic, and camera assembly on the wearable package. The idea is almost identical to what Meta has done with the Ray-Ban AI glasses, which now come in a prescription-friendly flavor, too. Apparently, Nothing's co-founder and chief, Carl Pei, wasn't too keen on the idea, but subsequently embraced a multi-device strategy. At the moment, the company is mostly focused on smartphones, earbuds, watches, and a small selection of accessories with a distinct look. A brave bet, but not unexpected Nothing is not new to the AI game. On the contrary, it's quite bullish on it. Pei, a former OnePlus executive, recently claimed that AI advancements will make conventional mobile apps a thing of the past. The company recently released a Playground feature that uses AI to let users create their own mini-apps and share them with the community. But smart glasses are an entirely different beast, especially for a small company. Google has repeatedly shown its Android-based smart glasses with some impressive Gemini-powered experiences. Samsung's smart glasses, built on Google's platform, are set to arrive later this year. Meta is the big bad wolf in the field, but Chinese players like Xreal, Rokid, and RayNeo have also done a terrific job lately. Let's see how Nothing manages to stand out, but the design is surely going to be a talking point.