Brilliant Labs has thrown its hat into the ring of wearable tech with the announcement of Frame, a pair of glasses boasting AI integration, and a Google Glass-inspired display, all for a surprisingly affordable price tag of $350.
The Micro OLED display, projecting information onto the right lens, offers a 20-degree field of view, enabling the display of text, notifications, and animations without obstructing the wearer’s vision. With multimodal AI, including features like voice commands, translation, and real-time information overlays, Frame promises users “AI superpowers,” partially thanks to its reliance on OpenAI. The platform’s open-source nature also allows for developer customization. Frame seamlessly integrates with smartphones via the “Noa” app, providing access to notifications, calls, and various other functionalities. The company also asserts that the glasses, when paired with the included accessory Mister Power, would have enough battery life to last an entire day.
Although its attractive price and range of features are noteworthy, uncertainties persist. There are apprehensions surrounding the proposed subscription model and the limited AI services offered in the free tier, leading to concerns about potential long-term expenses. Additionally, the inclusion of an always-on display and AI integration raises privacy and security issues. Moreover, the viability of Frame largely depends on its capacity to attract an ample number of developers to establish a compelling app ecosystem.
Frame represents an exciting step towards making smart glasses more mainstream. Its affordability and feature set are undeniably attractive. However, questions about battery life, the subscription model, and long-term support need to be addressed before it can truly be considered a game-changer. Ultimately, whether Frame lives up to its “AI superpowers” promise will depend on its ability to overcome these hurdles and cultivate a vibrant app ecosystem.
It’s still early days for Frame, but it has sparked renewed interest in the potential of smart glasses. Whether it becomes a breakout success or fades into obscurity remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the race to create the next generation of wearable tech is heating up.
