Gentle Monster to open US preorders for AI glasses

South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster will open US preorders for its first AI-powered smart glasses, developed in partnership with Samsung Electronics and Google, on Thursday, ahead of a planned December release.

The company unveiled a teaser Friday for its Intelligent Eyewear campaign film starring Hollywood actor Joaquin Phoenix and directed by Jonathan Glazer, known for "The Zone of Interest" and "Under the Skin." The full film is scheduled for release later this month.

The teaser follows a salesman, played by Phoenix, who encounters mysterious figures in an unfamiliar hotel where reality and fantasy intertwine. Using the AI glasses, he begins to understand their language and communicate with them.

Gentle Monster said the surreal narrative portrays the possibilities of AI-assisted communication rather than directly demonstrating the product's features.

First introduced at Google I/O in May, the eyewear combines Samsung's hardware technology with Google's Android XR platform and Gemini AI assistant. Qualcomm also contributed to the project, while US eyewear brand Warby Parker has developed its own designs under the partnership.

The glasses support real-time translation, navigation, voice-based assistance and visual information recognition. Compatible with Android and iOS devices, they connect to smartphones through a mobile app.

According to the company, the device offers up to nine hours of battery life on a single charge, with its charging case providing at least seven additional hours.

Gentle Monster will hold a public preview in New York from Nov. 13 to 23, allowing visitors to experience the collection in person. Preorders will be available through the brand's website.

Pricing and detailed retail availability have not yet been disclosed, and a release date for South Korea remains unconfirmed.