After months of teasing its smart glasses, Samsung might be one step closer to actually releasing them. The South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo has reported, citing “electronics industry” sources, that the company’s specs are finally set to go on sale in mid-December—a bit later than previously expected. When they’re finally for sale, the Chosun says they’ll be available only in the U.S. and South Korea to start.

We haven’t received a timeline directly from Samsung yet, so this information isn’t quite official, but it is the most concrete date we’ve seen. Some important details are still TBD, including price, which is arguably the biggest factor in how well Samsung will compete with companies like Meta in the space.

Another major factor in how Samsung fares is one that’s not really within the company’s control—the social climate. Back in May, when Samsung first announced its smart glasses, which are being made in partnership with Gentle Monster, the pushback against the category was palpable but not overwhelming. Fast forward a few months, and things are starting to look a little different.

Not only is the general social attitude less permissive, thanks to pushback from celebrities like Lorde and the horror stories of people misusing the devices cropping up around the world, but regulators are also getting increasingly involved. The intervention has been most stark in Europe, with a national ban currently on the table in Norway and a citywide ban recently enacted in Hamburg, Germany.

S. that have focused more on sensitive areas like courtrooms and schools.

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