Google and XREAL want to make spatial computing something users can carry in a bag rather than wear as a bulky headset.

The companies unveiled XREAL AURA at Google’s Android Developer Summit on Wednesday, introducing wired Android XR glasses designed for virtual workspaces, entertainment and gaming. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite platform, the glasses start at a promotional price of $1,099, with shipments expected in mid-November.

Unlike standalone headsets, AURA relies on a separate compute puck connected by cable. That design makes the glasses relatively lightweight, but buyers must decide whether the portability and virtual-screen capabilities justify the price and additional hardware.

A portable workspace without a physical monitor

The AURA uses transparent lenses to overlay digital content onto the wearer’s view of the surrounding environment.…