Of all the smartframes we’ve seen this year, Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen) may be the most low-key of the bunch. Unlike AR glasses like Xreal Air, Echo Frames don’t try to augment your reality, and unlike Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, Echo Frames don’t try to take photos or video. The Amazon Echo Frames I tried in September this year have simpler purposes, like playing music, providing news and weather updates, and letting you ask Alexa your most pressing questions.
At least this third edition of Echo Frames does the best job of the bunch still looking traditional glasses, despite all the hidden intelligence. Amazon did this by moving the technology away from the front of the frames (the part that balances on the bridge of your nose) and moving it to the stems.
If you want something flashy, Amazon won’t push you further into the tech world. Instead you can use the Carrera smart glasses with Alexa. They’re bigger and bolder, but the point is to add a fashionable touch and not squeeze in even more technology.
Like the Amazon Echo Frames (3rd generation), the Carrera Smart Glasses will also get a $75 discount for those who participate in the pre-order. So the Echo Frames normally cost $269.99 but cost $194.99 with the discount, and the Carreras cost $389.99 but cost $314.99 with the discount.
The Amazon Echo Smart Frames (3rd generation) are available in a prescription model, as a sunglasses, and in a more expensive model with blue light filtering for $224.99. There are five styles including Blue Round, Black Rectangle (what I call ‘Superman style’), Brown Cat eye and Gray Rectangle.
Carrera Smart Glasses with Alexa are currently only available as sunglasses.
Both sets of smart frames will be delivered on December 7. For now they are only available in the US.
Make a spectacle of yourself
Are these smart frames worth it? It’s too early to tell. In my short practice time, However, I was impressed with the audio quality, which sounded clear and sharp despite a busy and loud listening environment. I was also impressed with how the frames picked up my Alexa commands. I never had to scream.
The Amazon Echo Frames smart glasses were comfortable to wear and the design is almost indistinguishable from traditional glasses from the front. The stems are a bit thick and large, but not so much that they scream, “Smart glasses!” I wouldn’t mind wearing them again.
There are some buttons for things like volume control, but I liked that you never had to touch the frames to operate them. Plus, they automatically turn off when you take them out and fold them. As far as battery life goes, I think it’s a bit sketchy. They are estimated to last six hours of audio playback at 80% volume, but no one is going to play audio for six hours straight. Since interaction often consists of a short Alexa command and response, and perhaps a 45-minute podcast or playlist, your battery life can last all day.
Either way, if you’re considering smart glasses as a holiday gift, this might be your chance to get a real deal on one of the newest kids on the block in wearables.