Amazon’s new Echo Frames can’t touch the Ray-Ban Meta

The Ray-Ban Meta outshines Amazon's latest Echo Frames in various aspects. While the Echo Frames boast improved sound, they still fall short when compared to the Ray-Ban Meta. Reflecting on the decade since the release of Google's first-generation Glass, the evolution of smart glasses has been a mixed bag, with more misses than hits. Achieving a consensus on form and functionality seems elusive, and Google's sporadic attempts with Glass have yet to yield a commercially successful product.

The success of augmented reality (AR) has primarily been confined to smartphone screens, despite efforts from companies like Magic Leap, Microsoft, and Meta. The upcoming release of Apple Vision Pro is anticipated to impact the AR landscape, but technical limitations have constrained these solutions to larger form factors. While the goal of integrating AR technology into regular glasses is admirable, it appears to be a distant objective.

Meta's recent hardware event introduced two head-worn devices: the Quest 3, a VR headset with AR capabilities, and the Ray-Ban Meta, a device focused on content capture rather than augmented reality. Similar to Snapchat Spectacles, the Ray-Ban Meta features a camera for shooting videos and live streaming, along with speakers for music or podcast playback.

In contrast, Amazon's Echo Frames 3 do not offer video capture, emphasizing privacy. The audio setup, with speakers in the temples, allows for situational awareness but falls short in immersive sound quality. The Frames serve as another form factor for accessing Alexa, providing hands-free voice assistance for various tasks.

The Echo Frames offer five different styles, and customization options include prescription lenses, blue light filtering, and sunglasses. The battery life is claimed to be 14 hours of moderate usage, and the charging dock, though less convenient than the Ray-Ban Meta's case, is collapsible. However, the Echo Frames' design and audio quality leave room for improvement, making them suitable for occasional use rather than daily drivers. CO, CO, CO, CO, CO, CO, CO, CO, CO, CO, CO

Comparatively, the Ray-Ban Meta, priced at $300, offers a superior experience with more convenient features, making the extra $30 a worthwhile investment. It's worth noting that, at the time of writing, Amazon is offering a discounted price of $200 for the new Echo Frames, potentially influencing the decision-making process.