Bose announced Frames – a revolutionary smartglasses combining the style of premium sunglasses, performance of wireless headphones, and the world’s first audio augmented reality platform. Frames take micro-acoustics and voice control to an entirely new level, debuting the future of mobile sound in the tiniest, thinnest, most lightweight Bose system ever. With a proprietary open-ear design, Frames can stream music and information, take and make calls, and access virtual assistants – while keeping playlists, entertainment, and conversations private.
The smartglasses will be available in January 2019 for $199, preorders start today, and Bose AR apps are coming next year, says a Press Release.
Frames as Sunglasses
The Frames come in styles – square and angled, or round and slightly smaller. Both block up to 99% of UVA/UVB rays, and feature uniformly tinted lenses and distinct accents – including gold-plated steel hinges and charging pins. They’re scratch and shatter resistant, and weigh a mere 45 grams.
Frames as Audio Device
A minuscule, wafer-thin acoustic package is set seamlessly in each arm’s interior – rather than an earbud, or attached component – to produce discreet, jaw-dropping sound for the user, and no one else. For touch and voice control, an ultra-small microphone and multi-function button are embedded on the right temple for power and pairing, Siri and Google Assistant, calls and commands, or to pause and skip songs.
Frames as Audio Augmented Reality Wearable
Bose Frames are the first commercial product embedded with the Bose audio augmented reality platform. Unlike other augmented reality glasses and platforms, Bose AR doesn’t change what you see, but instead, uses a 9-axis head motion sensor and the GPS from your iOS or Android device, and automatically adds a layer of audio, connecting that place and time.
Battery
Lithium battery can run up to 3.5 hours for playback and up to 12 hours on standby, and can be fully recharged in less than two hours.
Styles and Availability
Bose Frames come in Matte Black and two universal styles – the larger (Alto) and smaller (Rondo). Both will be available in the U.S. beginning in January 2019 at Bose stores and Bose.com.
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About Bose
The privately held Bose Corporation was founded in 1964 by Dr. Amar G. Bose, then a professor of electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Today, the company is driven by its founding principles, investing in long-term research to develop new technologies with real customer benefits.
