First Android XR smart glasses open for preorder on Nov. 12

Warby Parker has announced that preorders for its first glasses collection running Android XR will open on November 12. The company shared the date during its earnings call today, saying it will begin taking preorders for its first Intelligent Eyewear collection a week from now and aims to deliver to customers during the holiday season.

Intelligent Eyewear is the official term all the parties involved are using for these products. In other words, the glasses are formally known by that name, and they are meant to bring the Android XR platform to users in an eyeglasses form factor.

Delivery timing remains vague

After preorders open, the glasses are expected to reach customers during the holiday season, but what that means in practice is not yet clear. It was not specified whether deliveries will start just before Thanksgiving week or slip into December.

The company's date firmly establishes when the preorder process begins, while the actual delivery day is left to the broad phrase "holiday season." Interested buyers will therefore need to wait for further details once preorders go live.

Hardware and design partnership

According to the available information, the glasses run Android XR. The underlying hardware is built by Samsung and powered by Qualcomm processors. On the design side, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster share responsibility, so the product draws on software, manufacturing, chip and design contributions from several brands.

Two different models from each design partner have been seen over the course of the year, and other designs are likely to follow. The announcement did not say which models will be offered for preorder.

Screenless, audio-first use

The models going up for preorder are described as audio-focused glasses with no display in the lenses. A camera is included. Users can control the device with voice commands or a touch surface on the side of the frame. The absence of any image on the lens is the main feature separating the product from glasses with displays.

Android XR is Google's platform for extended reality devices. With these glasses, it reaches users as a screenless, audio-first wearable.

Giving a date shortly before a full unveiling also resembles the path seen with Googlebook, where a date was likewise shared a week ahead of the full announcement.