Meta unveils its Oakley smart glasses | TechCrunch
After months of rumors, Meta has officially announced its next pair of smart glasses with Oakley. The smart glasses have double the battery life of the Meta Ray-Bans and are able to capture 3K video. The models are based on Oakley’s HSTN (pronounced “how-stuhn”) design, and are described as Meta’s “first product for athletes and fans alike.”
Pricing and Availability
The limited-edition Oakley Meta HSTN model with gold-colored accents costs $499 and will be available for preorder on July 11. The rest of the collection starts at $399 and is dropping later this summer, Meta says.
Features
The glasses feature a front-facing camera, along with open-ear speakers and microphones. You can use the glasses to listen to music, take photos, and make and receive calls. The glasses also feature Meta AI, letting you ask questions on the go, such as “Hey Meta, how strong is the wind today?” or “Hey Meta, take a video.” In addition, you can ask Meta AI about what you’re seeing, and also get it to translate languages.
Battery Life and Charging
The Oakley Meta HSTN glasses can last up to eight hours with typical use and up to 19 hours on standby. You can also charge them up to 50% in 20 minutes. Plus, the glasses come with a charging case that can deliver up to 48 hours of charging on the go.
Design and Compatibility
The glasses are available in six frame and lens color combos: warm grey with ruby lenses, black with polar black lenses, brown smoke with polar deep water lenses, black with amethyst lenses, clear with grey lenses, and black with clear lenses. All of these are compatible with prescriptions for an extra cost. Some pairs come with Oakley Prizm Lens technology, which makes it easier to see in different lighting and weather conditions, helping you see more and perform at your peak, Meta says.
Availability
Oakley Meta HSTN will be available in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. Meta plans to launch them in Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates later this year.
Partnership with EssilorLuxottica
Meta says the new glasses are the latest chapter of a multi-year partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Oakley, Ray-Bans, and other eyewear brands. The Meta Ray-Bans have sold over two million pairs to date, according to EssilorLuxottica’s FY2024 financial results.
