Google Abandons Hardware Control, Partners Warby Parker on Android XR Glasses

Google has shifted strategy on smart glasses, enlisting Warby Parker to build Android XR devices rather than manufacturing them in-house. Sergey Brin, Google's co-founder, acknowledged learning from mistakes made during the failed 2013 Google Glass launch. The partnership approach breaks from Google's historical playbook of controlling both hardware and software, signaling a recalibrated bet on utility over vertical integration.