Latest news with #Ray-Ban
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Meta launches $513 Oakley AI glasses with 3K video recording
The display-free Oakley glasses are one component of the overall Meta AI hardware strategy. PHOTO: META Meta Platforms Inc. is going up-market with its surprise hit smart glasses, rolling out new models with Oakley that are aimed at athletes and include improved video recording. The company on June 20 launched new models based on Oakley's HSTN design, marking the company's first expansion away from Ray-Ban for its display-free glasses. Like the original models, the Oakley versions can make and take phone calls, play music, take pictures and video and use Meta's artificial intelligence to answer questions about the surrounding environment. The new versions, which start at US$399 (S$513) and go up to US$499 for a limited edition model with gold-colored accents, include about double the battery life, video-recording at 3K resolution and water resistance. 'We are increasingly seeing performance use cases with the Ray-Bans like people wearing them on roller coasters, cycling and being around water, so we're trying to lean into that,' says Mr Alex Himel, the company's vice-president in charge of wearables, in an interview. Arriving at its second glasses brand was far from a sure thing. Meta's first glasses, the Ray-Ban Stories, flopped in 2021. But its follow-up version in 2023 was a massive success, giving the social networking giant a real potential hardware stronghold in the artificial intelligence race. 'It was crazy. Popularity caught us by surprise a bit,' Mr Himel said. The Ray-Bans were 'going to be the last display-less pair of glasses. We said we'll take two swings at it, and if it doesn't work we'll go all-in on augmented reality'. Instead, beyond the latest Oakley model, the company has a multi-year road map for the display-less category and is planning a follow-up pair of Oakley glasses based on the Sphera design for later in 2025 , according to people with knowledge of the matter. That pair will be aimed at cyclists and have a centred camera. The model on June 20 has a camera positioned in the upper corner like the Ray-Ban version. The display-free glasses are one component of the overall Meta AI hardware strategy. The company is planning to introduce higher-end glasses with a display to view notifications and the camera view finder later in 202 5, Bloomberg News has reported. In 2027, it aims to roll out its first true augmented reality glasses, which will blend digital apps with the real world. Meta's form-factor has caught on, with several other technology companies working on competitors. Apple Inc. is planning to introduce its first glasses product at the end of 2026, Bloomberg News has reported. That device will operate similarly to the Meta product but better synchronise with the rest of the Apple ecosystem. Inc. also sells glasses, but their current models lack cameras. Mr Himel, who said Meta has sold millions of glasses and has a 'nice, increasing multiple' of purchases on a year-over-year basis each week, attributed the increased popularity to the Ray-Bans improving across a large number of 'small things.' He said the audio quality and microphones started to surpass standalone earbuds, while the camera and AI quality also improved. Still, Mr Himel said battery life remains the 'number one complaint' about the Ray-Ban versions. The new Oakley models can run for 8 hours on a single charge, with the charging case holding 48 hours of juice. 'You should expect a 40 per cent bump with these' he says, attributing the improvement to new battery chemistry and software optimisations – not larger battery packs. Like Ray-Ban, Oakley is owned by EssilorLuxottica SA, which calls Oakley its second most popular brand after Ray-Ban. Mr Himel said Meta will roll out new brands under the EssilorLuxottica portfolio 'as fast as we can. 'We're going to have to move very quickly because in the world of fashion, stuff moves very quickly,' he says. 'The stuff that is a hit right now might not be a year from now. We need to be fast to hit all the brands that we'd like to.' The first Oakley model, becoming available for pre-order on July 11, will be the US$499 limited edition pair. The US$399 versions – which come in grey, black, brown and clear colors – will be released in the coming months. There will be versions with clear, transition and polarised lenses. Like with the Ray-Bans, users can swap the lenses for prescription optics. The glasses will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, according to Meta. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Los Angeles Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Meta launches $399 Oakley AI Glasses with 3K video recording
Meta Platforms Inc. is going up-market with its surprise hit smart glasses, rolling out new models with Oakley that are aimed at athletes and include improved video recording. The company on Friday launched new models based on Oakley's HSTN design, marking the company's first expansion away from Ray-Ban for its display-free glasses. Like the original models, the Oakley versions can make and take phone calls, play music, take pictures and video and use Meta's artificial intelligence to answer questions about the surrounding environment. The new versions, which start at $399 and go up to $499 for a limited edition model with gold-colored accents, include about double the battery life, video-recording at 3K resolution and water resistance. 'We are increasingly seeing performance use cases with the Ray-Bans like people wearing them on roller coasters, cycling and being around water, so we're trying to lean into that,' says Alex Himel, the company's vice president in charge of wearables, in an interview. Arriving at its second glasses brand was far from a sure thing. Meta's first glasses, the Ray-Ban Stories, flopped in 2021. But its follow-up version in 2023 was a massive success, giving the social networking giant a real potential hardware stronghold in the artificial intelligence race. 'It was crazy. Popularity caught us by surprise a bit,' Himel said. The Ray-Bans were 'going to be the last display-less pair of glasses. We said we'll take two swings at it, and if it doesn't work we'll go all-in on augmented reality.' Instead, beyond the latest Oakley model, the company has a multi-year road map for the display-less category and is planning a follow-up pair of Oakley glasses based on the Sphera design for later this year, according to people with knowledge of the matter. That pair will be aimed at cyclists and have a centered camera. Friday's model has a camera positioned in the upper corner like the Ray-Ban version. The display-free glasses are one component of the overall Meta AI hardware strategy. The company is planning to introduce higher-end glasses with a display to view notifications and the camera view finder later this year, Bloomberg News has reported. In 2027, it aims to roll out its first true augmented reality glasses, which will blend digital apps with the real world. Meta's form-factor has caught on, with several other technology companies working on competitors. Apple Inc. is planning to introduce its first glasses product at the end of 2026, Bloomberg News has reported. That device will operate similarly to the Meta product but better synchronize with the rest of the Apple ecosystem. Inc. also sells glasses, but their current models lack cameras. Himel, who said Meta has sold millions of glasses and has a 'nice, increasing multiple' of purchases on a year-over-year basis each week, attributed the increased popularity to the Ray-Bans improving across a large number of 'small things.' He said the audio quality and microphones started to surpass standalone earbuds, while the camera and AI quality also improved. Still, Himel said battery life remains the 'number one complaint' about the Ray-Ban versions. The new Oakley models can run for 8 hours on a single charge, with the charging case holding 48 hours of juice. 'You should expect a 40% bump with these' he says, attributing the improvement to new battery chemistry and software optimizations — not larger battery packs. Like Ray-Ban, Oakley is owned by EssilorLuxottica SA, which calls Oakley its second most popular brand after Ray-Ban. Himel said Meta will roll out new brands under the EssilorLuxottica portfolio 'as fast as we can. 'We're going to have to move very quickly because in the world of fashion, stuff moves very quickly,' he says. 'The stuff that is a hit right now might not be a year from now. We need to be fast to hit all the brands that we'd like to.' The first Oakley model, becoming available for pre-order on July 11, will be the $499 limited edition pair. The $399 versions — which come in grey, black, brown and clear colors — will be released in the coming months. There will be versions with clear, transition and polarized lenses. Like with the Ray-Bans, users can swap the lenses for prescription optics. The glasses will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, according to Meta. (Updated with availability of new smart glasses in several countries. A previous version corrected the name of Meta executive Alex Himel.) Gurman writes for Bloomberg.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Meta and Oakley's smart glasses are coming this week
Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses are getting some competition from Meta itself. The company is apparently collaborating with Oakley on a pair of new smart glasses, due to launch on Friday, June 20. Oakley teased the launch on Monday, with a video that displays the two companies' logos, and a caption that reads: "The next evolution is coming on June 20." Oakley also shared the same video on Instagram, with a notable nod by Ray-Ban Meta's official account. SEE ALSO: Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are more of an AI device than ever with new updates This isn't about Meta jumping ship and working with an entirely different company. Both the Oakley and Ray-Ban brands are owned by Italian eyewear mega-company Luxottica. Given that Oakley is better known for sports glasses, while Ray-Ban mostly sells fashion eyewear, we're probably getting a sportier version of Ray-Ban Meta on Friday, this time with the Oakley brand attached. New Meta/Oakley smart glasses might look a little bit like the Oakley Sphaera (pictured). Credit: Oakley In January this year, Bloomberg reported that Meta and Oakley were collaborating on smart glasses, which would be based on Oakley's Sphaera glasses, and aimed at cyclists and other athletes.
Stuff.tv
a day ago
- Stuff.tv
Meta and Oakley's next-gen smart glasses are a GoPro for your face
As someone who has a set of the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, I'm pretty happy with them. But my biggest complaint has got to be around the camera, which can only shoot in 1080p. Meta and Oakley have just unveiled their latest bit of smart eyewear, and it solves that problem. In fact, these smart glasses are more like a GoPro for your face. The Oakley Meta HSTN are a new line of Performance AI glasses that attempt to fuse Oakley's sporty design with Meta's growing obsession with putting AI into absolutely everything. And the result actually looks quite compelling – I think they're a big upgrade over the Ray-Ban models in a few key ways. So what's the deal? Like other smart glasses, when you're busy doing something, instead of fumbling for a phone or strapping a camera to your chest, you simply say, 'Hey Meta, take a video.' But this time around your exploits are captured in crisp 3K. Not quite 4K, but definitely a big step up from the 1080p resolution of the Meta Ray-Ban glasses. While the Meta Ray-Bans are more for everyday wear, Oakley's version is design for those who are active. Or at least those of us who like to look the part while having a pint post-'workout.' And unlike the Ray-Bans, Oakley Meta HSTN actually looks like it could survive being put through some rough and tumble. Battery life promises to be decent too. You'll get up to 8 hours per charge, and the case adds an excellent 48 hours on the go. Meta reckons it even gives you 50% of juice in 20 minutes, which is faster than most people can lace up their trainers. The open-ear speakers mean your music stays pumped without cutting you off from traffic. There's also Meta AI integration, of course – because it wouldn't be a Meta product if you couldn't talk to it. I actually think Meta's AI is one of the best parts about the current Ray-Ban models. With the Oakley specs, you could ask about the wind on the golf course, check surf conditions, or just have a chat. The Limited Edition Oakley Meta HSTN are available to pre-order from 11 July at $499. The rest of the line-up starts at $399 and will be available later this summer across the US, UK, and a host of other countries.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Meta Oakley glasses: Kylian Mbappe stars as Meta confirms $499 new smart glasses, find out launch date and full details
Meta has announced its first pair of smart glasses in partnership with Oakley, marking a new step in its ambition to lead the wearable tech space. The limited-edition Oakley Meta HSTN model, announced by Meta, debuts at $499, with a broader release of Oakley-branded models starting at $399 later this summer. The glasses come equipped with a front-facing 3K camera — an upgrade from the 1080p resolution found in Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses — and boast a battery life of up to eight hours. Introducing Oakley Meta Glasses: Amplifying Human Potential — Reality Labs at Meta (@RealityLabs) June 20, 2025 A companion charging case can provide an additional 48 hours of power. Meta says the glasses are tailored for active lifestyles, supported by their IPX4 water resistance rating and sport-focused Oakley frame designs. Like Meta's previous smart glasses, the Oakley HSTN includes open-ear speakers, built-in microphones, and integration with Meta AI, which allows users to capture photos and videos, play music, conduct hands-free calls, and receive real-time information about their surroundings. The glasses also offer translation capabilities and can answer queries based on what the wearer sees — blending AI with everyday functionality. Meta is positioning the Oakley line as its entry into the performance and athletics category, diverging from the more lifestyle-focused Ray-Ban series. To further demonstrate its focus on athletics, Meta recruited French football star Kylian Mbappé as part of its launch campaign. Five colour and lens combinations are available, including prescription-compatible options. The premium model, available for preorder starting 11 July, features gold detailing and Oakley's signature PRIZM lenses. The launch follows Meta's extended partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of both Ray-Ban and Oakley. Over two million Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses have been sold to date, and the companies now aim to reach 10 million annual smart glasses sales by 2026. While Meta leads the current market, competition is mounting. Google has showcased XR glasses with built-in displays, and Apple is widely believed to be developing similar wearable tech. Still, Meta hopes to stay ahead by embedding AI into daily experiences. 'This is our first step into the performance category,' said Alex Himel, Meta's head of wearables. 'There's more to come.'
