One pair of AI glasses isn’t enough, it seems. Meta has another pair ready, and is turning to another eyewear brand for the occasion.
The world may still be getting used to the concept of AI glasses, something Ray-Ban and Meta (by way of Facebook) have been talking up ever since the first version arrived, but neither version one nor version two will be alone.
While both the sans-AI first-gen and the with-AI second-gen were made in Ray-Ban styles, the third-gen will have an Oakley style and build, and a focus on athletes and sports.
The latest generation is the Oakley Meta HSTN, with that name not so much an initialism (even though it looks like one), but pronounced more like “how-stun”. Strange names aside, the glasses are a combination of speakers, cameras, and eyewear, using open-ever speakers to send audio to your ears by way of the glasses arms, Ultra HD video cameras supporting 3K footage, and IPX4 water resistance.
Oh, and of course, AI. It’s in everything these days, and the Meta HSTN are no different. They’ll be able to answer queries like other smart assistant as, but Meta suggests athletes might want to ask something that could affect their game. Golfers could ask how strong is the wind today, while surfers could check on conditions.
The Meta AI assistant can also capture video directly from the glasses themselves, and then post them online, something that anyone with the pair should be able to do, provided their phone is nearby. There’s no SIM in these glasses, and your phone will be their link to the internet.
Meta says the glasses should see improved battery life, too, covering up to eight hours of use and up to 19 hours on standby, while the glasses are charged in a case able to provide up to two days worth of charging.
In terms of release, Australia will see the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses later this year (not to be confused with the regular Oakley HSTN glasses), arriving initially for $499 USD for a limited edition variation, while the regular Oakley Meta HSTN collection will arrive later on from $399 USD. Given the conversion rate and the Australia tax, you can bet these will be found nearer the $600 mark locally as a starting price when they land.
