This week in AI glasses: XREAL Aura goes on sale, Samsung reportedly targets December

This was the week Android XR glasses became something you can order. XREAL Aura went on sale with a $1,099 launch price, Samsung's own pair was reported for December, and two senators sent Meta questions about its glasses. Here's what happened between Oct. 24 and Oct. 30, and what to watch next.

XREAL Aura goes on sale at a $1,099 launch price

Orders for XREAL Aura opened Oct. 28 in the US, Canada and South Korea, and open Nov. 2 in Japan, according to Google's launch post. Shipments start in mid-November. Google states launch pricing starting at $1,099 through the end of the year. Outlets put the regular price of that 12GB model at $1,279, and the 16GB and 512GB model at $1,299 during the offer.

Mixed reports that XREAL's store promises price-difference refunds to customers who fully paid the original price before Oct. 28, and that XREAL expects to start them within 30 days. No source we read explains how to claim one. Read our story and our order guide.

Samsung's glasses are reported for mid-December

Chosunbiz reported on Oct. 30 that Samsung will begin selling its first AI glasses, which it calls Intelligent Eyewear, in mid-December in South Korea and the US. The outlet cites unnamed industry sources, says no price is set and says Europe, China and Japan are left out of the first wave.

Samsung hasn't confirmed the date. The Korea Herald wrote on Oct. 1 that a Samsung official had confirmed a November launch, so the two reports conflict. Read our story.

Senators question Meta, and California still has no wearable recording law

Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Edward Markey of Massachusetts sent Meta a letter on Wednesday, Oct. 28, according to 404 Media. It asks what safeguards Meta has against nonconsensual capture of intimate imagery and what imagery it uses for AI training. 404 Media's report doesn't include a Meta reply or a deadline. Read our story.

The same week we explained why Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed California's SB 1130 on Sept. 30. Fortune reports he objected to how broadly the bill defined a wearable recording device. The bill would have required a prominent recording indicator on wearable recording devices sold in California from Jan. 1, 2028. Nothing changes for owners today: California has no wearable-specific recording law. Read the explainer.

What the only full Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 review found

Our roundup this week covers Gizmodo's review, published Oct. 7 and still the only full one. It finds better battery life and adjustable temple tips, but the same camera, the same audio quality and "the same general feel on your face" as Gen 2. Calls did not sound better despite Meta's claim that the new six-mic array cuts more than 90% of background noise. Gen 3 starts at $449, $70 more than Gen 2. Read our roundup and our Gen 3 vs. Gen 2 comparison.

Brilliant Labs Halo ships at $399

Brilliant Labs says Halo officially launched Oct. 27 at $399, and its product page reads "Shipping now!" Memory in the Noa assistant is free with daily usage caps, while Noa Plus costs $9.99 a month and Noa Pro $39.99. The company's release says images are "never stored," but its privacy policy says Noa keeps transcripts and memory data until you request deletion. None of the outlets we read has tested the product. Read our story.

Google lets developers test glasses apps without glasses

Google announced Android XR and Android CLI tools that let developers test apps without physical hardware, according to Digital Trends. Google's developer page says Android Studio can test on virtual devices for XR headsets, wired XR glasses, audio glasses and display glasses. Samsung's Galaxy XR headset is the only Android XR device shipping today, Aura follows in mid-November, and Google has given no date for display glasses. Read our story.

What to watch next

Aura ships in mid-November, so first owner reports should follow. Samsung needs to say which date is right, and it hasn't announced a price or a model name beyond Intelligent Eyewear. Meta hasn't publicly answered the senators. If you're sorting out where Android XR is heading, our device-by-device list is kept up to date.