Wearables is a lucrative industry primed to ripe in a couple of years and it’s already obvious that the big tech giants are eyeing for a major pie of the market as early as possible. We already have an evident achiever in Apple cashing in on its marquee player in the smartwatch category, Apple Watch.
Though the concept of smartglasses was pioneered by Google with their epic failure, Google Glass initiative, there hasn’t been a single good smartglass for the public yet. Amazon as in many other segments of late, seem to be leading the way ahead in smartglasses. Amazon Echo Frame has been released to public at $249 this December and here’s what our first thoughts on the ambitious launch is.
Look and Style
Unlike the predecessors of their smartglasses, Amazon has kept the design simple. The Echo Frames looks pretty much like a plain pair of eyeglasses with plastic lenses and comes in 3 colors. The rectangularly shaped glasses are carefully designed to provide a simplistic look. More importantly, considering the already looming concerns over privacy, Amazon has safely played it to be camera-free.
So, basically the new Amazon Echo Frames is a 31-gram weighing glass with speakers and microphones to aid your audio communications supported by adjustable temple tips.
The interesting offering in it is the flexibility for people to alter the plastic lenses with the prescription lenses just in case they need aid with eye powers. Also, the default lenses that come along with the Echo Frame has been a bit too reflective and made some users not very computer-friendly.
Specs and Software
There are 2 micro-speakers and 1 microphone at each temples to provide a closed audio delivery. The temple tips carry the volume buttons and charging port so subtle that you can find it only when you’re looking for it accompanied with a decent water and splash proof make.
The promised battery life is placed a bit high at 14 hours though the average usage of music and podcasts sucks up the juice in 3 hours. However, controlled usage of micro-speakers can help you get through the day without having to charge in between. Swiping at the temple sensors can help you prioritize the notifications to be heard and also, the glass’s functionalities are auto-turned off after few seconds when set upside-down on a table.
The Amazon Echo Frames are supported only with mobile phones running on Android 8.0+ and iOS 13.0+ (with few exceptions) and can be connected to only one mobile at a time. Aiming at privacy, the connectivity is targeted exclusively for a single mobile device and to swap between the mobiles, you need to perform a full-repairing.
The intelligence of Amazon’s Alexa also comes into play a very crucial support when sensing environments and adjusting the volume to nullify the ambient noises. Also, the clarity over calls is very surprisingly supportive for all environments considering the Bluetooth performances.
Verdict – Do you need it yet?
Amazon Echo Frames as we know is a new initiative for a world not completely confident of the privacy measures the wearables offer yet. However, with a guarantee of ‘strictly no-camera’, Amazon has managed to woo the skeptics. But is the $250 worth smartglasses a pressing need at the moment? No! That’s pretty much a straightforward answer considering the fact that Echo Frames are nothing but a wireless, ear-free Alexa on your face.
Then who is it aimed at? At the moment, the Echo Frames is aimed at tech and gadget enthusiasts who would like to have music and smart assistance all day. The Echo Frames can help you with music, calls, and voice assistance at a swipe of your glasses without even taking your mobile out of your pocket.
As for the rest of the normies like me out there, this one is worthy of appreciation, but not your bucks right now!