Tech
Google debuts AI-powered Android XR smart glasses at Google I/O
Google is trying out smart glasses again.
At its Google I/O keynote address on Tuesday, Google showed off a product that was referred to simply as "Android XR glasses" in both the presentation and the accompanying blog post. No price or release date was given, so between all of that and the fact that the product doesn't seem to have a real name yet, this could be quite a ways off from being on store shelves.
If you think these glasses are just a ripoff of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, think again. While Meta's specs are really just a camera you wear on your face with zero augmented reality features of any kind, Google's glasses have a full AR UI built into the lenses, which you can use to search for information about things you're looking at or navigate with Google Maps while you're out and about. Google also mentioned that you can use these glasses to message your friends and make appointments. However, it's worth noting that Google described the in-lens UI as "optional" in the blog post. Of course, it's all powered by Google's Gemini AI tech.
Credit: Screenshot: Google
Credit: Google
All the Gemini announcements from Google I/O 2025: Free Gemini Live, a Sora competitor, AI Ultra
The glasses also have cameras, microphones, and speakers built-in. The one and only live demo Google attempted during the I/O keynote was for a conversational language translation tool that would theoretically enable two people speaking different languages to speak to each other in-person. However, "theoretically" is doing a lot of work there, as the demo failed after a couple of sentences, leading Google to hit the ejector seat before it could really get going.
During this segment, Google also announced that Samsung's Project Moohan XR headset will be the first consumer device to run on the Android XR operating system. Moohan will launch later this year, but other than that, Google didn't say a lot about it. On top of that, Google announced that the XR glasses will be manufactured in collaboration with glasses brands like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, so there could potentially be a little bit more variety to the way they look than Meta's Ray-Ban glasses.
Credit: Google
Credit: Screenshot: Google
Readers with functional memories might remember Google Glass, a similar product Google released to nearly universal derision in 2015. Glass very quickly transitioned from a consumer-focused product to an enterprise device within a couple of years of release, before Google stopped selling it altogether in 2023. It didn't work then, but maybe infusing the Android XR glasses with Gemini AI features will give them a leg up over Glass.
It should also be noted that one of Google's biggest competitors is reportedly interested in developing smart glasses, but today's news would put that company way behind the ball. Apple has been rumored to be developing AR glasses for a while now, but a report earlier this year indicated the project was dead. A different report just last month suggested Apple is still working on smart glasses, but they would be more akin to the Meta device than Google's new glasses. That would give Google a serious advantage in the market, to say the least.
SAVE $80: As of Aug. 9, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are on sale for $169 at Amazon. That's 32% off their list price of $249.
Opens in a new window
The battle of the best earbuds is a pretty tough race, but the AirPods Pro are still a huge standout — especially now that they feature USB-C charging. And we love them even more when they're on sale.
As of Aug. 9, the AirPods Pro 2 are down to just $169 at Amazon instead of the usual $249. That's a savings of 32% and just $20 shy of their best-ever price from Prime Day. The Apple earbuds do fall to $169 pretty regularly, but that doesn't mean this isn't a solid deal. That's only $40 more than the AirPods 4 at full price, which don't even offer noise cancellation.
We particularly love the rich and well-balanced sound of the AirPods Pro, although we wish they offered customizable EQ. They also offer best-in-class noise cancellation, decent battery life (up to six hours per charge, 30 hours with case), and seamless Apple ecosystem integration. The Pros regularly top our lists of the best headphones, and our readers seem to love them just as much. "For portability, active noise cancellation, and balanced sound, your search ends with the AirPods Pro," our reviewer writes.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
What is Connections Sports Edition?
The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories
Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
-
Yellow: Ways to throw a baseball
-
Green: Hockey fouls
-
Blue: Women's hockey
-
Purple: Roll Tide QBs
Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
-
Yellow: Baseball Pitching Arm Slots
-
Green: Hockey Penalties
-
Blue: PWHL Teams
-
Purple: Former Alabama QBs
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #320 is…
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today
-
Baseball Pitching Arm Slots – OVERHAND, SIDEARM, SUBMARINE, THREE-QUARTERS
-
Hockey Penalties – BOARDING, CROSS-CHECKING, HOOKING, INTERFERENCE
-
PWHL Teams – CHARGE, FLEET, FROST, SIRENS
-
Former Alabama QBs – NAMATH, STABLER, STARR, YOUNG
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Connections.
Microsoft is quietly winding down its Lens scanning app for iOS and Android, the company confirmed in a support document.
Formerly known as Office Lens, the app lets users convert images into PDFs, PowerPoint slides, and Excel files, handling both handwritten and printed documents with ease. It was simple, reliable, and widely used — but it’s now on the chopping block. Microsoft plans to officially retire the app on Sept. 15, 2025.
Support will end on Nov. 15, 2025, when Lens will be pulled from both the App Store and Google Play. Users will still be able to create scans until Dec. 15, 2025, but after that, the feature will be disabled. Existing scans will remain accessible as long as the app stays installed on the device.
The move marks the end of an app that’s seen more than 50 million downloads on Google Play and nearly 136,000 ratings on Apple’s App Store.
Microsoft is pointing users toward Microsoft 365 Copilot, which carries over most of Lens’s scanning capabilities. However, Copilot lacks some of Lens’s biggest perks, including direct saving to Microsoft Suite apps and accessibility features like read-aloud support and Immersive Reader integration.
The best-selling $169 AirPods Pro deal is back — grab em while you can
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 9, 2025
Microsoft is shutting down its Lens PDF scanner app
New Kid and Family Movies in 2025: Calendar of Release Dates (Updating)
The best sexting apps in 2025
Every potential TikTok buyer we know about
-
Entertainment5 months agoNew Kid and Family Movies in 2025: Calendar of Release Dates (Updating)
-
Tech5 months ago
The best sexting apps in 2025
-
Tech6 months agoEvery potential TikTok buyer we know about
-
Tech6 months ago
iOS 18.4 developer beta released — heres what you can expect
-
Politics6 months agoDOGE-ing toward the best Department of Defense ever
-
Tech6 months agoAre You an RSSMasher?
-
Politics6 months agoToxic RINO Susan Collins Is a “NO” on Kash Patel, Trashes Him Ahead of Confirmation Vote
-
Politics6 months agoAfter Targeting Chuck Schumer, Acting DC US Attorney Ed Martin Expands ‘Operation Whirlwind’ to Investigate Democrat Rep. Robert Garcia for Calling for “Actual Weapons” Against Elon Musk