Meta's Smart Glasses Collaboration with Oakley to Unveil in June 20
Smart Specs Showdown: Meta and Oakley Team Up for Fitness-Focused Glasses
Meta has teamed up with Oakley to create a new line of smart glasses, marking a significant stride in their wearable tech lineup. The collaboration, teased on social media, is set for a world premiere on June 20th. This collaboration seems geared towards sports enthusiasts, building on the foundation laid by the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, but with added features and a sportier design.
A Sporty Twist
CTO of Meta shared a teaser featuring both the Meta and Oakley logos, accompanied by an official post on the Oakley Instagram page. The collaboration was also endorsed by the Meta CEO. Although no images have been released, the branding hints at a continuation of the Meta design ethos, possibly including a central camera and AI features in a more athletic frame.
From Ray-Ban to Oakley
Meta's foray into the world of smart eyewear kicked off with the launch of Stories in 2021. These glasses offer audio and camera capabilities without AR integration. In 2023, second-gen models introduced audio enhancements, camera improvements, and an AI assistant. The upcoming Oakley collaboration may introduce a third-gen upgrade or modify existing hardware for a sportier usage.
Shared Ownership Fosters Seamless Cooperation
Both brands belong to EssilorLuxottica, allowing for a smooth transition in the partnership. Previous reports suggest the new Meta Smart glasses will be based on the Sphaera design, featuring a centrally placed camera, a departure from the edge-mounted camera on the Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
June 20: A New Era in Wearable Technology
As the launch approaches, consumers can anticipate potential advancements in audio, camera technology, and AI functionalities. The glasses are designed to cater to the needs of fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and adventurers, offering them digital tools for convenience. This move indicates Meta's ambition to revolutionize wearable computing and expand its ecosystem beyond smartphones and traditional screens.
Inside Scoop:
- Camera Placement: Unlike the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, the Oakley Meta glasses will sport a centrally positioned camera. This design ensures a better field of vision for sports activities like cycling and sports videography[3][4].
- Hands-Free Control: With voice commands, users can control various features such as taking photos, making calls, sending messages, and live-streaming content, making the glasses truly hands-free[5].
- AI Integration: The glasses will be equipped with Meta's AI assistant, offering users the convenience of accessing information and performing tasks using voice commands[5].
- Improved Speakers: Like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, the Oakley version is expected to feature improved speakers for playing music and other audio content[5].
- Target Market: These glasses are targeted at athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, providing an action-cam-like setup complete with features like hands-free live streaming and a rugged design[4].
- Price Point: The Oakley Meta smart glasses are rumored to cost more than the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, with a starting price of $360, and built to withstand various weather conditions[5].
Overall, these glasses seek to deliver a robust, feature-rich experience tailored to active users, marking a significant leap forward in wearable technology for fitness enthusiasts.
- The collaboration between Meta and Oakley, as suggested by the branding and endorsements, is poised to introduce a more athletic design and potentially include features like a centrally positioned camera, hand-free control via voice commands, AI integration, improved speakers, and a rugged design, all aimed at enhancing the user experience for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
- As Meta gears up to unveil their latest smart glasses, the upcoming Oakley Meta glasses are rumored to cost more than the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, offering a feature-rich experience for sports videography and fitness activities while catering to the needs of an active userbase in various weather conditions.
