Latest news with #smartglasses
WIRED
42 minutes ago
- Business
- WIRED
Meta's Oakley Smart Glasses Have 3K Video—Watch Out, Ray-Ban
The new Oakley Meta glasses outshine the Ray-Ban Meta with a big jump in battery life and video quality. And there's supposedly even more to come. When Meta launched the second generation of its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in late 2023, few predicted the success that lay ahead for the collaboration—perhaps not even Meta itself. But now, with more than two million sales under its belt, Meta has been looking for a way to widen its partnership with eyewear giant and Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica and keep up the momentum. The answer it seems was staring them in the face: a collaboration with the company's second largest brand, Oakley. 'We launched our second generation of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses at [Meta] Connect a year and a half ago, and they've taken off faster than we expected,' Alex Himel, VP of wearables at Meta tells WIRED. 'But they were never meant to be the one and only thing we did with EssilorLuxottica.' 'We've found people leaning into different active use cases with [Ray-Ban Meta]. And so Oakley, which is a brand that has represented both performance and technical innovation, felt like the most natural next step for our collaboration.' Oakley Meta specs have a higher resolution camera, offering 3K video, up from full HD in the Ray-Ban Metas. Photograph: Oakley Like Ray-Ban Meta, Oakley Meta will be a full smart glasses range, with a number of styles to choose from as the line expands. However, it's the popular Oakley HSTN frames (pronounced HOW-stuhn) that are the first to get the Meta makeover, with all of the same Meta AI functionality as Ray-Ban Metas, but with improved features aimed at a performance market. This includes a 50 percent longer battery life, with a fully charged pair of Oakley Meta HSTN lasting up to eight hours of typical use compared with four hours on the Ray-Ban Meta. The Oakley Meta's charging case also gets a boost, with up to 48 hours of charging time on the go, versus 36 hours in the Ray-Ban Meta. That's perhaps all the more surprising when you hear that the Oakley Meta also have a higher resolution camera, allowing you to share video in 3K video, up from full HD in the Ray-Ban Metas. This is a down to a new physical battery plus software improvements, Himel says, but can Ray-Ban Meta owners expect similar improvements in the future? Oakley Meta glasses have 50 percent more battery life, with a fully charged pair lasting up to eight hours versus four on the Ray-Ban iteration. Photograph: Oakley 'One thing that's cool about Ray-Ban Meta is that every month we've been shipping software updates that make the products better. And so owners should already be noticing that the image quality is getting better—but yes of course, we'll have hardware updates at some point for the Ray-Ban Meta, too.' With a target market that is likely looking to throw themselves down mountains, over hills and along roads, durability has been given due consideration. The Oakley Meta HSTN use the same proprietary frame materials as the analog HSTN, including Oakley's O-Matter, which promises to be 25 percent lighter and twice as strong as traditional acetate. Of course, there are some differences in overall weight compared with the analog versions, but it has been something that Meta says it has worked closely with Oakley to find the balance that stays true to the brand and what its users want from a pair of its glasses. 'I'm learning a lot. I have a software background, and so it's easy for me to focus on making sure this integrates well with Instagram or the image quality is really good,' says Himel. 'But then when I speak to Matteo or Rocco from EssilorLuxottica, we have to consider all these subtle dimensions that keep the glasses authentic to the brand. 'We've done a lot of research to make sure the flexible hinges fit just right, and that the extra weight is balanced out so that if you're doing something active, they stay on your face, and that they're comfortable to wear all day.' Some of the frames also come with Oakley's PRIZM lenses, which enhance color and contrast for detail enhancement that can help all the more during active use, and there's an IPX4 waterproofing rating that matches Ray-Ban Meta, though Himel admits as this means the glasses are merely splash proof, more needs to be done for future versions. 'I surf pretty actively, and one of the top use cases I've wanted is to have a pair of glasses that I can wear surfing. IPX4 can withstand getting wet, but not getting submerged—that needs an IP67 rating. That's something we're working on for future glasses, but if you're getting splashed, if it's raining, if you're sweating—you don't need to worry about that. The Oakley Meta HSTN work great for this.' The Oakley Meta HSTN will be available in six different finishes, but the range kicks off with a limited edition Oakley Meta, featuring gold accents and gold 24K PRIZM Polar lenses. They will cost $499 and are available for preorder from July 11, with others in the collection costing $399. But what's next for Meta's collaboration with EssilorLuxottica—which has licenses for brands including Chanel, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana—considering the latter announced it would be ramping up production of Meta glasses to 10 million a year by 2026? 'We're continuing to work closely together,' says Himel. "Glasses are a very personal choice. Different people pick different things, different brands, to represent who they are. So we will continue to launch more brands and more styles. 'We have already learned how to scale much more quickly, but there are still a good set of technical and operational problems to solve before we get there. But that's something we're excited to do, and so this is definitely a step in that direction.'
Bloomberg
44 minutes ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
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.
CNET
an hour ago
- Business
- CNET
Meta's New Oakley Smart Glasses Coming In July Boost Battery Life And Camera
Meta's newest revamp of their surprisingly popular smart glasses have arrived, but under another fashion label. Oakey Meta HSTN is a new line of AI-enabled glasses joining Meta Ray-Bans, but they're coming with some notable improvements to go with their new design and slightly higher price. Oakley, like Ray-Ban, is part of glasses-maker EssilorLuxottica's portfolio. According to Meta's head of wearable tech, Alex Himel, they're just one part of a lineup of Oakley products to come. And, judging by questions I asked, sports and fitness features could be on their way soon. "The number one complaint we get about the glasses right now is battery life," Himel says of the existing Meta Ray-Bans, but is optimistic that the new Oakleys will be better. "We're offering a pretty substantial boost, 40% better with both the hardware and software improvements." The $499 limited edition version of the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses are being sold first, with more models coming later in the summer. Meta Camera and battery boosts The new round-framed glasses look sharp at first glance, and they should also bring some welcome performance boosts. Battery life according to Meta can last up to eight hours on a charge now, instead of the 3-4 hours I normally get on Ray-Bans. The onboard camera, still shifted off to the side, can shoot higher-res wide-angle video, at 3K resolution this time. The glasses will be available to pre-order July 11 starting with a $499 special limited-edition version, following up "later in the summer" with prices that range $399 and up for other models, with a variety of light-filtering lens options. According to Himel, the new glasses use the same Qualcomm chipset as the one-and-a-half-year-old Meta Ray-Bans (not Qualcomm's upcoming chipset), but can do more thanks to camera and battery improvements and optimizations, including a new set of batteries in the arms. Session-based live AI, currently limited to half an hour or so on current Ray-Bans, could see a boost on these new Oakley models. Himel also told me that the glasses are capable of a lower-power camera mode that could work at lower resolutions for longer AI-enabled sessions, although when that feature might be unlocked is unclear. The bumped-up 3K video resolution (at an unusual 2203x2938, in portrait mode) should make for clearer on-the-fly videos, and Himel sees a lot of use for sports or other extreme activities, although the IPX4 water resistance still isn't meant for water immersion. I asked about possibilities for zoom functions, something I'd like in camera glasses. Sadly, there are no plans for that now, but Himel sees other ideas in the works. "I think you'll see us launch a number of features at the intersection of taking photos and videos and AI, which I think will be great." Himel also sees promise in iOS 26 support for auto-aware Wi-Fi and background processing modes that could possibly help glasses share photos and videos better with iPhones. A clear pair in their charge case, which should give about 48 hours of additional battery life. Meta Sports and fitness functions to come? One missing piece, to me, still lies in how Meta's increasingly sports and fitness lifestyle-targeted glasses don't work directly with fitness apps on phones and watches. Himel sees a lot of possibilities to come. "I really strongly believe that in the next generation of wearables, which is glasses and novel form factors, health and wellness will still be a focus -- but in a new version of that. When we talk about AI, what might be possible, the potential is huge." How soon could fitness features like this arrive? "I think you should look forward to Connect," Himel says, referring to Meta's September-timed AR/VR developer conference where Meta's glasses and headset updates tend to arrive…and when Meta is expected to launch a more advanced version of display-enabled glasses, too. The fashion landscape for smart glasses is already ramping up fast: Ray-Ban and Oakley for Meta, and Warby Parker, Gentle Monster and Kering Eyewear for Google in 2026. The AI-enabled glasses space is already getting real, but these glasses could also be paving the way for display and AR-enabled glasses coming after that. And, with the battery life gains Meta's promising for Oakleys, we may be getting closer to glasses that can actually handle more intensive always-on AI features next for periods longer than half an hour, with more connected functions on deck.
The Verge
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Verge
Meta announces Oakley smart glasses
Meta is announcing its next pair of smart glasses with Oakley. The limited-edition Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced HOW-stuhn) model costs $499 and is available for pre-order starting July 11th. Other Oakley models with Meta's tech will be available starting at $399 later this summer. Like the existing Meta Ray-Ban glasses, the Oakley model features two front-facing cameras, along with open-ear speakers and microphones that are built into the frame. After they are paired with a phone, the glasses can be used to listen to music or podcasts, conduct phone calls, or chat with Meta AI. By utilizing the onboard cameras and microphones, Meta AI can also answer questions about what someone is seeing and even translate languages. Given the Oakley design, Meta is positioning these new glasses as being geared towards athletes. They have an IPX4 water resistance rating and offer double the battery life of the Meta Ray-Bans, providing 8 hours of use, along with a charging case that can power them for up to 48 hours. The built-in cameras now shoot in 3K video, up from 1080p for the Meta Ray-Bans. The new lineup comes in five Oakley frame and lens combos, all of which are compatible with prescriptions for an extra cost. The frame colors are warm grey, black, brown smoke, and clear, with several lens options available, including transitions. The limited-edition $499 model, available for order starting July 11th, features gold accents and gold Oakley PRIZM lenses. The glasses will be on sale in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. Meta recently signed a multi-year deal with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company behind Ray-Ban, Oakley, and other eyewear brands. The Meta Ray-Bans have sold over two million pairs to date, and EssilorLuxottica recently disclosed that it plans to sell 10 million smart glasses with Meta annually by 2026. 'This is our first step into the performance category,' Alex Himel, Meta's head of wearables, tells me. 'There's more to come.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pay by glasses: Alipay+ and Meizu launch world's first AR smart glasses with voice-activated eWallet
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — Alipay+ has launched the world's first smart glasses with an integrated eWallet payment solution. The world's first real-world smart glasses-embedded eWallet payment transaction was conducted in Hong Kong via AlipayHK, using the Meizu StarV Snap smart glasses. The development marks a major milestone for Alipay+ as it advances global mobile payment innovation. It also expands the use case scenarios for the AR glass industry while creating new growth avenues for eWallets and merchants. With the pair of Meizu StarV Snap glasses, a user can easily make an eWallet payment via QR scans or voice commands. The feature is made possible by a combination of Alipay+'s AI-powered intent recognition, voice interface, and voiceprint authentication features. According to Alipay+, the feature will be rolled out to its global partner eWallets in 2025 upon the integration of Alipay+'s upgraded tech suite for smart glasses. Smart glasses as a new payment device Alipay+ has been exploring smart glasses as a new payment method as it had previously debuted a smart glasses payment solution with Rokid in China. The latest integration is powered by Alipay+'s latest software development kit (SDK), embedded into all new Meizu smart glasses. The feature is supported by Meizu's optical waveguide display technology, voice noise cancellation and capture technology, and camera-based QR code scanning, which provides a hands-free experience. From the demo video, the glasses use eye tracking to detect the QR code and the user can state the payment amount by voice. It relies on voiceprint recognition to authenticate the payment. To recap, Alipay+ is a unified cross-border wallet gateway under Ant International. It currently connects over 1.7 billion user accounts from 36 global eWallets, national QR schemes, and banking apps to 100 million merchants across more than 70 core markets. With one integration, eWallet providers and financial institutions can access Alipay's expanding toolkits for customer engagement and business growth. This includes integration of QR based and card payments via a global NFC solution. Alipay+ also enables a full range of agentic AI features which include a MCP-based AI payments built on Alipay+ GenAI Cockpit, an AI-as-a-Service platform for fintech companies. Peng Guo, General Manager of the XR Division at Meizu, said, 'The offline payment function of smart glasses launched overseas by Meizu and Alipay+ has set a new technological benchmark for the industry.' 'The innovation in the payment scenario has enhanced the practicality and appeal of smart glasses and promoted the progress and development of the AR glasses industry. We hope this function will bring more convenient experiences to users,' he added. Meanwhile, Ant International Chief Innovation Officer, Jiangming Yang, said 'We are grateful to work with industry leaders like Meizu to pioneer smart glasses-embedded payment solutions. By unlocking payment capabilities, smart glasses will rapidly transform into the next-gen personal device like the mobile phone.' He continued, 'We look forward to supporting more industry partners with one integration into Alipay+'s premium wallet ecosystem across global markets, to help them build broader user scenarios and achieve growth' While Meizu is back in Malaysia as a smartphone brand, there are no pricing and availability details yet for the new smart glasses in Malaysia. At the moment, Alipay+ already supports cross-border payments for eWallets such as Touch 'n Go eWallet where travellers can make cashless payments abroad like a local. — SoyaCincau
