Alphabet’s $150M Bet on Warby Parker — Can Smart Glasses Move WRBY and GOOG Stock?

Google (GOOG) (GOOGL) is stepping back into the smart glasses game, and this time, it’s bringing AI, capital, and fashion along for the ride. The tech giant just announced a major partnership with Warby Parker (WRBY) and luxury eyewear group Kering, aiming to launch AI-powered glasses starting after 2025.

Under this agreement, Google is making a $75 million equity investment in Warby Parker and committing another $75 million toward product development and commercialization. That’s a $150 million bet on making AI eyewear mainstream—and it immediately moved the market. WRBY shares jumped 16%, closing at $20.34 on the news.

_{Tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands in 2013, enjoying her
Google Glass. Will the second time be any different?}

What to Expect

The smart glasses will run on Android XR, Google’s platform for immersive devices, and will feature multimodal AI, meaning they’ll process and respond to a mix of audio, visuals, and text in real time. Think of glasses that see, hear, and understand your surroundings, and help you navigate them. “Multimodal AI is perfectly suited for glasses,” said Warby Parker Co-CEO Dave Gilboa. The devices are designed for all-day wear, with prescription and non-prescription lenses.

Kering, the Milan-based powerhouse behind brands like Gucci, Cartier, and Saint Laurent, is joining the initiative to bring luxury styling to smart eyewear. While terms weren’t disclosed, the message is clear: AI glasses aren’t just about tech anymore — they’re a fashion category.

Of course, Google’s not alone. Meta’s (META) Ray-Ban smart glasses with built-in Meta AI have seen demand surge, with sales reportedly tripling over the past year. Amazon (AMZN) and Snap (SNAP) are also in the race. However, this marks Google’s first serious re-entry into smart eyewear since shuttering Google Glass—and this time, it’s fully aligned with the AI shift driving the next wave of tech innovation.

What Is the Price Target for GOOG Stock?

Currently, Wall Street firmly believes in Alphabet’s long-term prospects, with the stock sporting a Strong Buy rating. The average price target for GOOG stock is $201.14. This implies a 21.67% upside potential.

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