“Conversation Flows Smoothly Even Without Knowing Thai” ... Trying Samsung’s AI Glasses

[Financial News, New York — Correspondent Lee Byeong-cheol] “I didn’t know any Thai, but the conversation flowed without a hitch.”
 On the 9th (local time), I sat across from a Thai staff member in Manhattan, New York, wearing AI smart glasses developed in collaboration with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Google and Gentle Monster. When the other person spoke to me in Thai, the interpretation came through the glasses almost in real time. There was no noticeable lag or buffering as we talked back and forth. It felt as if I were speaking with someone who spoke the same language.
 Even more surprising was how comfortable they were to wear. While earlier smart glasses felt like goggles or an electronic device perched on the face, this product was not much different from ordinary glasses. I wore them for about an hour and tried several features, but felt almost no discomfort. Global fashion eyewear brand Gentle Monster unveiled in New York for the first time its “Intelligent Eyewear” collection, developed in partnership with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Google. The combination of advanced AI technology and fashion design is expected to usher in new competition in the smart-glasses market.
On entering the experience center, sculptures shaped like a horse and a person caught my eye. With ropes hanging from the ceiling and mirrors, the space felt more like a contemporary art gallery than a typical electronics showroom. Farther inside, smart glasses in a variety of designs were on display.
As someone who normally wears glasses, what impressed me was the process of fitting prescription lenses. At Gentle Monster stores, lenses suited to a customer’s prescription are fitted just as they are at a regular optical shop. At the venue, a pair tailored to my eyesight was ready in about two minutes. Weighing about 41 grams, they were light and did not put much strain on my face, and the design looked natural. While some existing smart glasses felt like wearing goggles, this product was barely different from the glasses I normally wear. I used them for about an hour and felt no particular discomfort around my nose or ears. 
The real-time interpretation feature exceeded expectations. While sitting across from a Thai staff member and talking, I hardly ever had to stop speaking to wait for the interpretation. At the venue, the glasses were presented as supporting interpretation in 70 languages. There was also a demonstration to test the real-time interpretation feature in a setting where several languages were being spoken. It was a distinctive space with human faces set inside circular structures suspended from the ceiling. The ability to naturally understand conversations between people speaking different languages seemed promising for use on overseas business trips and vacations, as well as at international conferences.
The glasses also offered a range of features powered by Google’s latest generative AI, Gemini. When I asked what an ingredient in front of me was, the AI provided relevant information. They could also find and play related music on YouTube by looking at a sheet of music, or help plan a travel itinerary. Other features included descriptions of artworks and directions to a destination. A key feature was being able to ask about objects in front of you and get information without taking out a smartphone and entering a search term.
Gentle Monster’s Intelligent Eyewear collection comprises 16 versions in total, with different color and lens combinations based on six frames: two styles of regular glasses and four styles of sunglasses. The range centers on black, with gray, pink, dark red and yellow also available. 
The glasses are compatible with Samsung Galaxy devices, some Android smartphones and smartphones running Apple’s iOS. The battery lasts up to nine hours on a single charge, and up to 72 hours with the charging case. Gentle Monster began taking preorders on the 12th and will officially launch the glasses in South Korea and the United States on Dec. 10. The domestic retail price ranges from ₩650,000 to ₩700,000, including value-added tax.
Battery life, however, is a drawback. A maximum of nine hours of use may not be enough to fully replace regular glasses. 
The camera mounted on the frame is also relatively easy to notice. However, that also lets people nearby know that the smart glasses have a camera. 


[email protected] Correspondent Lee Byeong-cheol Reporter