Google is expanding its Android XR ecosystem with the launch of AURA, a pair of extended reality glasses developed in partnership with hardware company XREAL.
The device combines Google’s Android XR operating system and Gemini AI assistant with XREAL’s display technology, allowing users to access digital applications while keeping their physical surroundings visible.
Orders for AURA opened on October 28 in the United States, Canada and South Korea, with Japan joining the list on November 2. The glasses start selling at $1,099 under a limited-time launch offer, with shipments expected to begin in mid-November.
The launch gives Google another hardware product for its Android XR platform as the company works with manufacturers to bring spatial computing experiences to more users.
How Google’s AURA XR Glasses Work
Unlike conventional virtual reality (VR) headsets that cover the user’s eyes with enclosed displays, AURA uses transparent lenses to project digital content into the wearer’s field of view. This allows users to interact with applications and virtual screens while still seeing their physical environment.
Standing as the first wired glasses on Android XR, with Bose sound and optical see-through lenses, the glasses weigh under 95 grams and feature Sony Micro-OLED displays with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels per eye, a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a 70-degree diagonal field of view.
AURA uses a separate computing unit called a compute puck, which connects to the glasses through a cable. The device houses the battery and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite platform, while the glasses use XREAL’s X1S spatial coprocessor to handle display and tracking functions.
This split-computing design allows the glasses to remain lightweight while the connected unit handles the heavier processing required to run Android XR applications.
Gemini AI and Android Apps Come to AURA
Google has integrated Gemini into AURA, allowing users to interact with the AI assistant while viewing their surroundings and digital content. Users can ask questions about what they see, get assistance with documents, and receive guidance across applications.
The glasses also support millions of applications available through Google Play, including more than 150 applications developed specifically for XR devices.
For productivity, users can open multiple applications and arrange them around their field of view. They can also connect Bluetooth keyboards and mice to manage their virtual workspace.
Another feature, called Wired Mirroring, allows users to connect compatible laptops through USB-C and display their computer screens within the glasses. This makes it possible to work with laptop applications alongside Android XR applications without installing additional software on the computer.
For entertainment, users can access YouTube, Google TV, and other streaming services through the glasses. AURA also supports mobile and tablet games, alongside experiences developed specifically for XR.
Google and XREAL AURA Pricing and Availability
AURA comes in two configurations, with the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage model carrying a standard price of $1,279, and the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage version costing $1,499.
However, XREAL is offering both configurations at reduced launch prices of $1,099 and $1,299 respectively, and the promotional prices are available through December 2026.
Customers can order the glasses through XREAL’s website, while buyers in the United States can also purchase them through Best Buy.
