Anker Ventures Into Smart Glasses With Soundcore Frames

Anker’s Soundcore brand is synonymous with a bunch of audio-centric products such as headphones and smart speakers. The company is now revealing new smart glasses under this brand, calling it the Soundcore Frames (via).

These new smart glasses cost $199.99 and will be available mid-November, Anker said. While the company offers 10 different styles of frames to choose from, the temples are only available in one style. Each side contains two speakers for optimum sound quality. Customers will have the choice between blue-light filtering, prescription, and polarized lenses.

While companies like Razer have adopted similar technology, Anker makes it quite easy to switch frames. While the speakers are loud enough, people around you are unlikely to hear whatever’s playing on it. However, the speaker could be audible to others around you in an indoor or quieter environment. Anker is also using two microphones to block out ambient noise during calls.

Interested users can try out the Soundcore Frames virtually from the Soundcore app

The glasses use a series of tap and swipe gestures for audio controls, which is in line with most smart glasses in the market today. Anker said each replacement lens would cost an additional $49.99. Customers can buy the Soundcore Frames from Amazon, Best Buy, and the Anker website.

The Soundcore Frames are IPX4 certified water-resistant as well, offering decent protection against the elements. As for battery life, Anker says the glasses can offer 5.5 hours of continuous audio playback. If you’re on the fence about the idea of smart glasses, the company’s Soundcore app lets users try on the glasses virtually. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices.

Last month marked the debut of Ray-Ban Stories, developed by Luxottica and Facebook. However, these are somewhat different from Anker’s Soundcore Frames which have no cameras. A more reasonable comparison for the newly unveiled smart glasses would be the Bose Frames or the Alexa-powered Echo Frames by Amazon.

Anker is running a promo where users can get an additional frame for just $1 if they pledge their interest in the product before October 31. Customers who make the pledge will receive a code, which will be valid from November 1 through November 10.