Meta has officially launched its new smart glasses, the Oakley HSTN model, at a price of $399. Designed for athletes, these glasses offer several upgrades over the existing Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, including improved camera capabilities and longer battery life.
The Oakley glasses have embedded camera sensors along the side, allowing users to capture 3K video during outdoor activities like running or biking. This is an upgrade from the Ray-Ban version, which captures only 1080p video. The new glasses also feature IPX4 water resistance, making them more durable than their predecessor.
One of the biggest pain points with the Meta Ray-Bans was battery life. However, the Oakley version promises eight hours of usage, double that of the Ray-Bans’ four hours. This will allow users to capture more content during an average day of work or activity.
The glasses also come equipped with AI, allowing users to access the Meta AI assistant by voice command or a long press on the frame. This feature is particularly helpful for athletes who need to be hands-free while engaging in physical activity.
Meta’s collaboration with Ray-Ban has been successful so far, with two million pairs of the Meta Ray-Bans sold since their October 2023 launch. The Oakley version takes this to the next level, offering a more rugged design that still allows for smart features like filming and notification alerts during sports activities.
The limited-edition Oakley HSTN glasses will retail at $499 initially but are expected to be available at a lower price point of $399 later in summer. They will become available for preorder on July 11, with distribution planned for the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark.
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Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/metas-new-399-oakley-smart-glasses-beat-the-ray-bans-in-almost-every-way