Google brings Hey Gemini wake word to Android XR smart glasses

Google says people wearing its new Intelligent Eyewear can start Gemini by saying "Hey Gemini" or tapping the frames. The line comes from Google's Nov. 12 post announcing that pre-orders have opened for the collections made with Gentle Monster, Warby Parker and Samsung. The glasses are due to go on sale Dec. 10.

What the wake word does

Google's wording is short: "Just say “Hey Gemini” or tap your frames to learn the story behind a street art mural you are passing by." The post gives other examples of what to ask while looking at something, such as checking your Calendar availability from an event poster.

It also shows the wake word working with third-party services. Google's example is saying "Hey Gemini, open Aira Explorer," which opens a visual interpreter service.

The glasses have a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and Google says you can capture a photo by button or by asking Gemini. The post does not list which languages the wake word supports.

Which models get it and when

Google says pre-orders began Nov. 12 for the collections made with Gentle Monster, Warby Parker and Samsung, and are live online and in stores at Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. Sales start Dec. 10 in stores and online.

Warby Parker sells the full collection at warbyparker.com, and customers can sign up for a guided demo at more than 360 of its retail locations. Demos are also available at select Gentle Monster, Warby Parker and Google Store locations.

Samsung's release says the glasses are set for release in the US and South Korea on Dec. 10, with pre-orders beginning the same day. It describes 30 designs across the two brand collections and gives no price. Google's post names the US and South Korea only for the Gentle Monster collection and lists no countries for Warby Parker. Our earlier coverage of the Samsung and Google launch and of Warby Parker's pre-order announcement has more on the lineup.

What it does not change

Google's post lists the phones that work with the glasses: Pixel 7 series and later on the Android 17 September 2026 update or later, Galaxy S, Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip phones on One UI 9.0 or higher, and iPhone 13 Pro and above. The wake word does not change that list.

Privacy terms stay as Google describes them. Google says camera visuals from Gemini on the glasses "are not saved in your Gemini History and aren’t used to train AI models or target ads." It also says the glasses are designed to automatically redact bystanders' faces from those visuals before Gemini processes them. Samsung says users keep control of app permissions and their Gemini activity.

On the older wake word, Android Authority reports that "Hey Gemini" does not replace Google's earlier wake words and that Android XR users can pick either for now. Google's post does not say this, so treat it as that outlet's report.

What is still unknown

• Whether "Hey Gemini" will come to phones, smart home devices or other Android XR hardware. Android Authority says it is not supported on phones or smart home hardware right now. Google's post does not address it.
• How long "Hey Google" stays on the glasses. Android Authority says only "for the moment."
• Which languages the wake word supports.
• Whether the glasses will go on sale in the UK, Canada or any country beyond the US and South Korea.

Google's pages also do not confirm gestures from a Pixel Watch or Fitbit Air. We cover that separately in our note on Android XR glasses and watch gestures, where the claim is not confirmed by Google.