Issue #90: Are Smart Glasses the Next Smartphone?

October 29, 2025

Howdy 👋🏾.

I hope you enjoyed the pilot and first episode of the new Thoughts on Tech & Things podcast. We’re just getting warmed up and have a bunch of exciting topics and guests lined up.

We’re also tweaking the newsletter schedule a bit. Going forward, you’ll get a new podcast-focused issue every other week (new episodes drop at 10 AM every other Wednesday), and on the alternating weeks, you’ll get a more traditional newsletter post that will tease the next episode, so you know what to look forward to.

This week, I’m sitting down with Will Gee, founder and CEO of Balti Virtual, to unpack the mixed reality moment—the surge of AI-powered glasses and headsets from Meta, Apple, Samsung, and Amazon. We talk about the roadblocks still ahead, the social stigma that lingers from the Google Glass era, and what it might take for wearables to truly replace the smartphone. Will also shares his perspective as an early XR pioneer building creative and practical applications for this new generation of immersive tech.

If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read so far, please consider forwarding this newsletter to a friend and encouraging them to sign up at jasonmperry.com/newsletter. You can also listen to new episodes every other Wednesday or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.

And if you have ideas for guests or topics you’d like us to explore, send a note my way.

— Jason

Apple Podcasts: Listen here

Spotify: Listen here

If you missed the last episode, check out:
👉 What’s Really New with OpenAI w/ Ben Slavin

🔗 Podcast Links Mentioned

🎤 The AI Roadshow: Workshops, Talks & Beyond

Oct. 30 – Leadership in the Age of AI
Nov. 3 – Greater Baltimore Climate Summit
Nov. 12 – WTCI AGILE Series
Nov. 15 – MD DevFest

📕The AI Evolution

I wrote The AI Evolution as a practical guide for leaders, builders, and anyone interested in learning how to use AI effectively. This book is about clarity, strategy, and what it takes to bring AI into your organization.
If you’re an executive trying to shape AI strategy, a manager looking to empower your team, or a developer wondering how this shift will change your craft, this book was written with you in mind. Purchase your copy here.