Amazon presents glasses with speakers and microphone
Amazon has presented Echo Frames, a pair of glasses with a microphone and speaker to be able to use digital assistant Alexa. Echo Frames look like normal glasses and also work in combination with prescription lenses. It is a trial product.
Echo Frames
Echo Frames has a microphone and four small speakers that attempt to direct audio to the ears without releasing too much noise to the environment, Amazon says. The glasses work with Alexa by default, but by long pressing on the side it is possible to use Google Assistant. There is no display or camera on the device.
Amazon has also created a VIP Filter for notifications. It filters notifications so that the user does not hear every notification. The glasses are currently available by invitation only for $180. It only works with Android phones. Echo Frames falls into a program called Amazon Day 1 Products; these are products for which the manufacturer wants to collect feedback from real customers without making them widely available.
Echo Loop
Another product in that line is Echo Loop, a ring with two microphones, a small speaker and a vibration motor. It allows users to communicate via the Alexa app on an Android phone or iPhone. A long press on the button gives access to Google Assistant or Siri.
Amazon uses the vibrator to indicate that a command has arrived or a notification has arrived on the phone. In addition, it is possible to call via the ring. The ring is also available by invitation only for $130.
In addition, Amazon also announced the Echo Buds, wireless earphones with Alexa integration. There were rumors about this earlier this year. The earphones are splash-proof with an ipx4 rating and have Bose noise canceling technology on board. A double tap on an earpiece activates Passthrough mode, where the sound from the environment can be heard again. There are two drivers for producing audio per earpiece. The battery life is five hours, whereby the case can fully charge the earphones three times. The Echo Buds will be released next month for $130.