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Nothing’s AI devices plan reportedly contains smart glasses and earbuds

Ivan Mehta
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⚡ Quantum Brief
London-based hardware startup Nothing plans to launch AI-powered smart glasses in 2027, featuring cameras, microphones, and cloud-connected speakers for AI queries, per Bloomberg sources. CEO Carl Pei shifted strategy to a multi-device approach, expanding beyond smartphones and audio gear, with AI earbuds also slated for 2026. Nothing enters a crowded market, competing with Meta’s prescription-compatible glasses, Apple’s rumored 2027 release, and Google-Samsung’s expected 2026 launch. The unicorn, valued at $1.3 billion after a $200M Series C, relies on transparent design aesthetics and AI integration to challenge Apple, Samsung, and Chinese giants. Pei emphasizes hardware-software-AI fusion as key to differentiation, following a 2025 AI app-creation tool launch to bolster its niche appeal.
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In Brief Posted: 5:33 AM PDT · April 1, 2026 Image Credits:Nothing Ivan Mehta Nothing’s AI devices plan reportedly contains smart glasses and earbuds London-based hardware company Nothing is on track to release a pair of smart glasses next year, Bloomberg reported, citing anonymous sources. The glasses will likely feature cameras, microphones and speakers, and will connect to a smartphone and the cloud to process AI queries, the report said. CEO and co-founder Carl Pei was initially resistant to the idea of smart glasses, but he has since told employees that he wants to focus on a multi-device strategy, expanding the company’s remit beyond its existing smartphone lines and audio gear, Bloomberg said. The company is also planning to release a pair of earbuds with AI features this year. Last year, Pei told TechCrunch that it planned to release its first AI device in 2026, though he didn’t specify what kind of device it might be. If the report is true, Nothing would be going up against the likes of Meta, Even Realities, and Rokid, all of which make smart glasses. Meta has so far launched multiple versions of its smart glasses, and earlier this week showed off two models that support prescription lenses. Apple is rumored to release a pair of smart glasses next year, and Google’s smart glasses with Samsung are rumored to land this year. Nothing became a unicorn last year after it raised a $200 million Series C round at a $1.3 billion valuation. The company has been popular among tech enthusiasts thanks to its unique design, which often features transparent and see-through elements. However, it still only accounts for a tiny share of the smartphone market, which has long been dominated by incumbents Apple, Samsung, a few Chinese companies and Google itself. Pei has said multiple times that Nothing would need to innovate on the hardware and software front, and use AI, to stand out in the market. The company last year launched a tool that lets people create mini apps using AI prompts. Techcrunch event Disrupt 2026: The tech ecosystem, all in one room Your next round. Your next hire. Your next breakout opportunity. Find it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $400. Save up to $300 or 30% to TechCrunch Founder Summit 1,000+ founders and investors come together at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 for a full day focused on growth, execution, and real-world scaling. Learn from founders and investors who have shaped the industry. Connect with peers navigating similar growth stages. Walk away with tactics you can apply immediatelyOffer ends March 13. San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026 REGISTER NOW Topics AI hardware, Gadgets, Hardware, nothing, smartglasses, wearables April 30 San Francisco, CA StrictlyVC kicks off the year in SF. Get in the room for unfiltered fireside chats with industry leaders, insider VC insights, and high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited. REGISTER NOW Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight.

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