Amazon has entered the eyewear market with Echo Frames. The prescription-ready glasses , which come in black with tortoise temple tips, offer hands-free access to Amazon’s virtual assistant technology, Alexa, and are only compatible with Android phones.
Designed to look and feel like an everyday pair of glasses, the frames have spring hinges and adjustable acetate tips to fit various head shapes. Voice and touch recognition allow users to remotely make phone calls, set reminders, listen to podcasts and music, or control compatible smart home devices.
Echo Frames have no camera or display and are made from durable and lightweight materials for all-day wear. Weighing only 31 grams, they have four beamforming micro speakers that use Amazon open-ear audio technology to direct sound towards the ears, while minimising outside sounds. Their minimalist design steers away from the chunky frames previously associated with smart glasses.
In addition to Alexa, pressing down on the Echo Frame temple provides access to Google Assistant. The frames also have a VIP Filter, which allows users to select only the phone notifications they choose to hear. When an alert comes through, users can swipe on the temple to listen.
It may be a while before the Echo Frame reaches Australia and New Zealand – as a ‘Day 1 Edition’ product, the Echo Frame will only be available to select US consumers at a price of AUS$265. The possibility of wider release is unknown.
