The text explores the potential of Meta's upcoming Oakley AI smart glasses for athletes, particularly long-distance runners. It highlights the need for eye protection during training, the limitations of existing smart glasses, and the unique features that the Oakley smart glasses could offer.
As a dedicated long-distance runner, my weekly training regimen often involves covering dozens of miles to build endurance and prepare for upcoming half-marathons and marathons. I prioritize eye protection during these runs, relying on photochromatic sunglasses to shield my eyes from the sun, wind, debris, and rain. While I've found valuable solutions for my visual needs, I've long yearned for a more advanced tool: AI-powered smart glasses with AR capabilities.
Although such technology is still several years away and smartphones are unlikely to be replaced by AR glasses anytime soon, a new wave of AI smart glasses, with or without AR features, is on the horizon. Several tech giants are already making strides in this area. Meta has released Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, while Google has unveiled its first Android XR AR/AI smart glasses, slated for a soon-to-be-announced release. Samsung is rumored to unveil its own pair during the upcoming Galaxy S25 Unpacked event, and Apple is reportedly prototyping both AI smart glasses and sophisticated AR glasses. However, it's Meta that seems to be taking a particularly unique approach with its anticipated release of Oakley-branded AI smart glasses specifically designed for athletes like myself.While Meta's Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses would certainly address my needs for running workouts and races, they lack tinted lenses necessary for sunny days. The Oakley AI smart glasses currently in development could solve this problem and potentially inspire other companies to create similar athletic-focused devices. I anticipate that Meta's AI products, including these Oakley smart glasses, won't be appealing to me personally in the near or distant future. My primary preference for generative AI lies elsewhere, and I'm not satisfied with Meta's aggressive promotion of its Meta AI software across its social platforms. Nonetheless, I believe that some Meta app users will embrace Meta AI and appreciate devices like the Oakley smart glasses once they become available.Details regarding pricing and release dates for the Oakley AI device remain scarce, but Bloomberg suggests a launch sometime this year. Internally known as 'Supernova 2,' these glasses are inspired by the non-smart Oakley Sphaera model currently on the market. The central camera placement indicates support for Meta AI, allowing the glasses to perceive the wearer's surroundings and respond accordingly, similar to the capabilities of the existing Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. The Oakley smart glasses won't feature AR capabilities, which is understandable considering their status as a first-generation product. While AR might not be essential for this initial release, a future iteration of Oakley AI smart glasses could incorporate AR functionality, particularly beneficial for athletic events like marathons. Imagine easily accessing race stats like pace, heart rate, splits, and other vital information directly through the glasses. The ability to have a conversation with the AI during training would also be highly valuable, enabling me to ask questions about my workout or any other topic. Furthermore, the camera could serve as a security feature.This concept echoes my thoughts last year regarding the Humane Ai Pin wearable, which could have been an excellent AI accessory for runners, but its high price point made it impractical. Smart glasses, on the other hand, offer a more affordable and practical solution for integrating AI technology into our daily lives. The cost of the Oakley AI glasses remains uncertain, but considering the starting price of $299 for the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and the rumored $1,000 price tag for the more advanced Hypernova model, the Oakley smart glasses are likely to fall somewhere in between.Beyond the Oakley AI glasses, Bloomberg's report also highlights Meta's development of other hardware products tailored for the AI age. They are reportedly working on their own versions of AirPods and Apple Watch, even considering incorporating cameras into wireless earphones to enable Meta AI to perceive the wearer's surroundings, similar to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Additionally, Meta is developing 'Artemis,' AR/AI smart glasses based on the Orion concept they showcased a few months ago. These Artemis Glasses are projected to launch in 2027
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