It's building the communications infrastructure you need for glasses to "just work."
You can't just come out with glasses because there is too much you don't know about how multi-user and persistent content AR interface and communications work from a standing start.
My comment was based on my reaction to how unexpectedly badly the handling of the device fitted into the activity, and how obvious it was that a different interaction device was necessary.
And yes, I think Niantic are more of a technology / platform company than they are a game developer, and I think that's the level of their involvement in the Wizards Unite game.
Google "just came out with glasses", but that didn't go very well, probably for the reasons you gave. Google Glass time may be upon us again soon, however, given these tech demos.
Yes, I'm agreeing with you and explaining why the big companies are making such huge investments in this when the form factor and use case is still not refined.
You can't just come out with glasses because there is too much you don't know about how multi-user and persistent content AR interface and communications work from a standing start.