Nothing Technology Ltd is working on artificial intelligence-enhanced smart glasses, looking to expand its lineup beyond smartphones and audio gear.
The London-based startup is planning to release the glasses during the first half of 2027, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Nothing is also working on new earbuds for later this year with AI-focused features, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans haven’t been announced.
Nothing Chief Executive Officer Carl Pei was initially resistant to launching glasses, but he recently told employees that he’s now focused on a multidevice strategy, the people said. There’s a growing field of companies pursuing smart glasses, with Alphabet Inc’s Google and Apple Inc looking to challenge Meta Platforms Inc in the market.
Nothing’s glasses – outfitted with cameras, microphones and speakers – will rely on smartphones and the cloud to handle AI processing. The idea is to help automate tasks and offer a more personalised experience.
Nothing is known for its unique aesthetic: The startup’s phones have arrays of LED lights and transparent backs, and its headphones feature square-shaped ear pads. The company is planning to apply that same design approach to the glasses, according to the people.
The company recently released two new phones, a low-end 4a and a mid-tier 4a Pro. But Nothing held off on updating its flagship 3 model, which competes with phones from Apple and Samsung Electronics Co at the higher end. The 4a’s reception has been positive due to its pricing and design.
Nothing has been focused on growing in emerging markets, including India and parts of Europe, but hasn’t made a dent in the US. Last year, the company raised a Series C funding round worth US$200mil (RM806mil), bringing its total valuation to US$1.3bil (RM5.24bil). Its backers include GV, formerly Google Ventures, and Qualcomm Ventures.
While Nothing remains small compared with other device makers, it has developed a niche following among technology enthusiasts and developers. Pei was the co-founder of OnePlus, a popular China-based brand that is owned by Oppo.
AI advancements have been core to Nothing’s strategy. The company recently released a tool for its phones that allows customers to create home screen widgets using vibe coding, an AI-assisted form of programming. The widgets can then be shared with other Nothing users.
The company has also integrated AI throughout its operating system, letting it handle tasks such as analysing voice memos and screenshots.
Apple, meanwhile, is planning to release glasses early next year as well, Bloomberg News has reported. It’s planning a slew of AI wearable devices that will use computer-vision cameras to analyse the environment and feed data into the Siri digital assistant.
This week, Meta announced new versions of its Ray-Ban glasses with a focus on prescription wearers. And Google and Samsung are planning to roll out their glasses this year.
But it remains a nascent market. None of the upcoming models will feature augmented reality displays – the ultimate goal of smart glasses. – Bloomberg
