Google's Android XR wearable platform to get fashionable boost with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster

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Google is stepping up its smart glasses game with a focus on style, announcing partnerships with eyewear giants Warby Parker and Gentle Monster for its Android XR platform. The move revealed at the company's I/O developer conference signals a clear strategy to create smart glasses that consumers will actually want to wear, echoing the approach taken by Meta with its successful Ray-Ban smart glasses.

The collaborations highlight Google's commitment to aesthetics this time around. Warby Parker, known for its trendy and accessible eyewear, suggests a focus on versatile, everyday designs. Meanwhile, the partnership with Gentle Monster, a popular Korean brand favoured by celebrities and Gen Z for its bold and edgy styles, indicates that Android XR will also cater to more fashion-forward consumers.

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Meta lays off Reality Labs employees even with many openings in the division

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Meta laid off an unspecified number of employees within its Reality Labs division, which focuses on hardware and virtual reality. The layoffs impacted teams within its Oculus Studio, a.k.a. virtual reality gaming division, and Supernatural, a.k.a. the VR fitness app it acquired. The move is part of the company's broader restructuring effort within the division. It also follows a larger round of job cuts earlier this year, which also affected the Reality Labs team.

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FuriosaAI rejects $800 million Meta acquisition offer

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South Korean AI chip startup FuriosaAI has reportedly turned down an $800 million acquisition offer from tech giant Meta, according to local media reports. The decision stems from disagreements over post-acquisition business strategy and organizational structure, not financial terms.

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Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses go high fashion with Coperni Limited Edition pair

Photo: Ray-Ban, Meta, Coperni

Ray-Ban and Coperni have teamed up to launch a limited-edition version of the Meta smart glasses, unveiled at Paris Fashion Week. The Ray-Ban Meta x Coperni Limited Edition glasses feature a translucent frame, grey mirrored lenses, and the Coperni logo, offering a high-fashion take on the classic Wayfarer design.

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