Google has acquired a 4% stake in Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster through a $100 million investment, aiming to accelerate its Android XR smart glasses initiative and compete with Meta in the wearable tech space according to Hypebeast.
The deal follows Google’s December 2024 announcement of Android XR, a new operating system for smart glasses and headsets, alongside partnerships with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.
Meta has led recent developments in this sector with its Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley HSTN smart glasses, both positioned as next-generation AI-powered wearables.
Gentle Monster, founded in Seoul in 2011, is known for its bold fashion designs and collaborations with luxury brands like Maison Margiela. In a May 28, 2025 Instagram post, the company described its partnership with Google as “a pivotal step in the evolution of smart eyewear into essential lifestyle fashion items.”
No official launch date has been announced for the smart glasses.
