I’m going to say something that might make you clutch your
iPhone 17 a little tighter.
Smartphones have become incredibly boring.
There. I said it. Remember when a new phone release felt like an event? Now, it’s just... slightly better cameras and a dynamic island that does a cool wiggle. Real talk: I spent the last decade staring at a black rectangle, and frankly, my neck hurts.
But if you’ve been paying attention to the signals over the last six months, you know something is shifting. We aren't just looking at screens anymore; we’re starting to look through them. Or, ideally, avoiding them entirely.
Welcome to the era of AI Wearables. 2025 was the year of awkward prototypes (looking at you, first-gen pins), but 2026? This is the year we might actually start leaving our phones at home.
I decided to run an experiment. I spent the last week trying to replace my phone with a mix of smart glasses and ambient AI devices. Here’s what happened, what failed miserably, and why I think we’re on the verge of a massive shift.
The "Look Up" Revolution
Here's the deal. The promise of the Metaverse was always a bit clunky—strapping a toaster to your face to play games is fun, but it’s not life. (Though, if you are into that, check out my breakdown of Metaverse games to play in 2026).
The new wave of AI wearables isn't about immersion; it's about assistance.
It’s "Ambient Computing." The tech disappears until you need it. You ask a question, you get an answer in your ear. You look at a sign in Tokyo, and it translates instantly on your lenses. No tapping, no swiping, no doom-scrolling Twitter (X? Whatever we call it now) while waiting for coffee.
The Contenders: What I Tested
To give this a fair shake, I didn't just read spec sheets. I got hands-on with the three main form factors fighting for dominance right now.
Smart Glasses: The Front Runner
Honestly, this is where the money is. I tried the latest iteration of the Meta-Ray-Bans (the 2025 refresh), and it’s kinda wild how normal they feel.
I walked into a grocery store, looked at a weird exotic fruit, and whispered, "Hey, what can I cook with this?"
Instant answer in my ear. No unlocking a phone, no opening ChatGPT, no typing. It just worked. It felt like a superpower.
(Side note: I definitely looked like I was talking to myself. We’re going to have to get over that social hurdle, just like we did with Bluetooth headsets in 2005.)
But it’s not perfect. Navigating complex menus? A nightmare. Trying to reply to a long email? Forget it. For that, I still needed my laptop. But for quick interactions—checking travel details or translating text—it beats a phone hands down.
The "AI Pin" Problem
Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room. The chest-mounted pins.
I want to love this form factor. I really do. The idea of tapping your chest to command an AI agent feels very sci-fi. But in practice? It’s heavy on your shirt, and the laser-projection-on-hand thing is cool for exactly 30 seconds before you realize you can’t see it in sunlight.
However, the software inside is getting better. These devices are essentially dedicated AI Agents that live on your lapel. They are getting scary good at context.
- Scenario: I was talking to a friend about a meeting next Tuesday.
- The Pin: Automatically drafted a calendar invite and summarized our conversation key points.
That’s useful. Is it worth looking like a cyborg? I’m mostly undecided, but the utility is undeniable for productivity nerds.
Why 2026 is Different
You might be thinking, "Dude, we've had Google Glass for a decade. Why now?"
Three things have converged to make this actually work:
- LLMs are Tiny Now: We have powerful AI models that can run locally on the device. No internet? No problem.
- Battery Density: We finally figured out how to power these things for more than 4 hours (well, mostly).
- Fashion First: Tech companies realized we don’t want to look like dorks. The new frames just look like... glasses.
The Friction Point (It’s Not All Sunshine)
I’d be lying if I said I’m burning my smartphone tomorrow.
There is a massive friction point: Privacy and Social Norms.
When I walked into a coffee shop with cameras on my face, I felt a weird sense of guilt. Is the barista comfortable with this? Even with the recording light on, it feels intrusive.
Plus, there’s the notification fatigue. Having your text messages literally float in front of your eyeballs is great when it’s urgent, but terrible when it’s a group chat spamming memes. If you thought productivity automation was important on a computer, you need it 10x more for wearables. You have to aggressively filter what gets through to your brain.
So, Should You Buy One?
If you’re the type of person who loves smart home tech and wants to live in the future, yes. Grab a pair of smart glasses. They are fun, genuinely useful for photos/videos, and the AI features are a great party trick that actually helps in daily life.
But if you’re waiting for these to replace your phone? Give it another year.
We aren't in the "Post-Smartphone" era yet. We are in the "Hybrid" era. My phone stays in my bag now, not my pocket. And honestly? That small change has done wonders for my mental health.
What do you think? Are you ready to wear your AI, or are you sticking to the screen? Hit me up on X or LinkedIn—I’ll probably read your message on my glasses.
FAQ: AI Wearables in 2026
Q: Do smart glasses record everything all the time? No. Most have hard-wired LEDs that light up when recording, and battery life would be nonexistent if they recorded 24/7. It's strictly on-demand (for now).
Q: Can I develop apps for these? Absolutely. If you've been following my guides on Micro SaaS, the API landscape for wearables is the next gold rush.
Q: Are they safe for kids? I’d hesitate. The privacy implications and the distraction factor are high. Let the adults beta test this society-shifting tech first.
