Meta Launches Oakley Smart Glasses: A Sportier, More Advanced Alternative to Ray-Bans

Meta's Foray into Sportier Smart Glasses

Meta has officially unveiled its new line of Oakley smart glasses, marking a significant expansion of its wearable technology portfolio. This launch comes several months after reports suggested Meta was exploring sportier versions of its smart glasses 1

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. The new Oakley Meta smart glasses are now available for preorder, with shipping set to begin on July 22 2

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Enhanced Features for Active Users

The Oakley Meta smart glasses boast several improvements over their Ray-Ban counterparts, catering specifically to athletes and outdoor enthusiasts:

1. Improved Durability: The glasses feature an IPX4 water resistance rating, making them more suitable for outdoor activities 1

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2. Enhanced Video Quality: They can capture 3K video, a significant upgrade from the 1080p resolution of the Meta Ray-Bans 1

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3. Extended Battery Life: The Oakley version doubles the battery life to eight hours of usage, allowing for more extended periods of activity capture 1

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AI Integration and Hands-Free Operation

Staying true to Meta's AI-focused approach, the Oakley smart glasses incorporate voice-activated AI assistance. Users can access the Meta AI assistant through voice commands or a long press on the frame, a feature particularly useful for athletes who need hands-free operation during physical activities 1

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Pricing and Availability

The limited-edition Oakley Meta HSTN glasses are currently available for preorder at $499 / £499 / AU$789 2

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. However, Meta plans to release more models later this summer at a lower price point of $399, though still higher than the Ray-Ban models which range from $240 to $300 1

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Design and Customization Options

The Oakley Meta smart glasses come in five frame and lens combinations, with prescription lens support available. The limited edition HSTN model features white frames with PRIZM 24K polarized lenses, designed for sports in bright conditions 2

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. Additional designs are set to launch in the coming months, including:

• Oakley Meta Holbrook
• Oakley Meta Encoder
• Oakley Meta Plazma
• Oakley Meta Leadline
• Oakley Meta Flak Beta 2

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Market Impact and Future Prospects

Meta's collaboration with Ray-Ban has been highly successful, with two million pairs sold since their October 2023 launch 1

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. The company claims that the Ray-Ban Meta glasses have become the world's best-selling AI glasses. This success has likely motivated the expansion into the Oakley brand, which is also owned by EssilorLuxottica.

As the smart glasses market continues to evolve, competition is heating up. Google and Apple are reportedly working on their own versions, while Meta is already developing a third generation of glasses rumored to include a built-in display 1

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. More details about these advancements are expected to be revealed at the upcoming Meta Connect event in the fall.

The launch of the Oakley Meta smart glasses represents a significant step in Meta's strategy to dominate the wearable AI market, offering consumers more choices and specialized features for different lifestyles and activities.