Latest news with #AlexHimel
Straits Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Meta launches $513 Oakley AI glasses with 3K video recording
The display-free Oakley glasses are one component of the overall Meta AI hardware strategy. PHOTO: META Meta Platforms Inc. is going up-market with its surprise hit smart glasses, rolling out new models with Oakley that are aimed at athletes and include improved video recording. The company on June 20 launched new models based on Oakley's HSTN design, marking the company's first expansion away from Ray-Ban for its display-free glasses. Like the original models, the Oakley versions can make and take phone calls, play music, take pictures and video and use Meta's artificial intelligence to answer questions about the surrounding environment. The new versions, which start at US$399 (S$513) and go up to US$499 for a limited edition model with gold-colored accents, include about double the battery life, video-recording at 3K resolution and water resistance. 'We are increasingly seeing performance use cases with the Ray-Bans like people wearing them on roller coasters, cycling and being around water, so we're trying to lean into that,' says Mr Alex Himel, the company's vice-president in charge of wearables, in an interview. Arriving at its second glasses brand was far from a sure thing. Meta's first glasses, the Ray-Ban Stories, flopped in 2021. But its follow-up version in 2023 was a massive success, giving the social networking giant a real potential hardware stronghold in the artificial intelligence race. 'It was crazy. Popularity caught us by surprise a bit,' Mr Himel said. The Ray-Bans were 'going to be the last display-less pair of glasses. We said we'll take two swings at it, and if it doesn't work we'll go all-in on augmented reality'. Instead, beyond the latest Oakley model, the company has a multi-year road map for the display-less category and is planning a follow-up pair of Oakley glasses based on the Sphera design for later in 2025 , according to people with knowledge of the matter. That pair will be aimed at cyclists and have a centred camera. The model on June 20 has a camera positioned in the upper corner like the Ray-Ban version. The display-free glasses are one component of the overall Meta AI hardware strategy. The company is planning to introduce higher-end glasses with a display to view notifications and the camera view finder later in 202 5, Bloomberg News has reported. In 2027, it aims to roll out its first true augmented reality glasses, which will blend digital apps with the real world. Meta's form-factor has caught on, with several other technology companies working on competitors. Apple Inc. is planning to introduce its first glasses product at the end of 2026, Bloomberg News has reported. That device will operate similarly to the Meta product but better synchronise with the rest of the Apple ecosystem. Inc. also sells glasses, but their current models lack cameras. Mr Himel, who said Meta has sold millions of glasses and has a 'nice, increasing multiple' of purchases on a year-over-year basis each week, attributed the increased popularity to the Ray-Bans improving across a large number of 'small things.' He said the audio quality and microphones started to surpass standalone earbuds, while the camera and AI quality also improved. Still, Mr Himel said battery life remains the 'number one complaint' about the Ray-Ban versions. The new Oakley models can run for 8 hours on a single charge, with the charging case holding 48 hours of juice. 'You should expect a 40 per cent bump with these' he says, attributing the improvement to new battery chemistry and software optimisations – not larger battery packs. Like Ray-Ban, Oakley is owned by EssilorLuxottica SA, which calls Oakley its second most popular brand after Ray-Ban. Mr Himel said Meta will roll out new brands under the EssilorLuxottica portfolio 'as fast as we can. 'We're going to have to move very quickly because in the world of fashion, stuff moves very quickly,' he says. 'The stuff that is a hit right now might not be a year from now. We need to be fast to hit all the brands that we'd like to.' The first Oakley model, becoming available for pre-order on July 11, will be the US$499 limited edition pair. The US$399 versions – which come in grey, black, brown and clear colors – will be released in the coming months. There will be versions with clear, transition and polarised lenses. Like with the Ray-Bans, users can swap the lenses for prescription optics. The glasses will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, according to Meta. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Arabian Post
21-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Oakley Meta HSTN delivers AI eyewear edge for athletes
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Meta has unveiled the Oakley Meta HSTN, a new smart glasses model tailored for sports enthusiasts that introduces high-resolution video and extended battery life. Pre-orders open on 11 July for the premium $499 edition, with standard variants priced from $399 available later in the summer. Initial markets include the US, Canada, UK, select European countries, Australia, and later expansions slated for Mexico, India, and the UAE. Built on Oakley's performance-driven HSTN design, the glasses feature an ultrawide 12-megapixel camera capable of capturing 3K video—surpassing the previous Ray-Ban Meta's full-HD resolution—and eight-hour active battery life, doubling the endurance of its predecessor, with a charging case offering an additional 48 hours. The frames are IPX4 splash-resistant, making them sweat- and rain-ready, and incorporate open-ear speakers and dual microphones, supporting music playback, calls, and Meta AI interaction. ADVERTISEMENT Meta's chief wearable strategist, Alex Himel, explained that user data showed demand for more robust gear: athletes were using Ray-Ban Meta in high-intensity conditions, prompting this sports-grade iteration. Enhanced lens options such as Oakley's PRIZM treatments aid visual clarity, particularly useful in dynamic outdoor activities like cycling or surfing. Powered by integrated Meta AI, wearers can issue voice commands like 'Hey Meta' to record video, translate languages, query environmental conditions—such as wind speed on the golf green—or post content hands-free. Celebrity endorsements include Kylian Mabappé, Patrick Mahomes, and J.R. Smith, used to reinforce the performance narrative. The launch underscores Meta's broader strategy to diversify its wearable offerings through EssilorLuxottica partnerships, expanding the previously successful Ray-Ban Meta range which sold over two million units. The companies aim to reach 10 million smart glasses units annually by 2026, marking a substantial scaling effort. This product enters a competitive AI-wearables arena. Alphabet is partnering with Warby Parker on its own AI glasses, backed by a $150 million investment, while Snap continues to develop its Specs line for a 2026 release. Analysts view Meta's positioning of the Oakley Meta at the $399–$499 price point as striking a balance between premium features and wider market appeal, drawing comparisons to Apple's tactics in wearable pricing strategies. Critics note the relatively modest IPX4 rating—which protects from splashes but not submersion—indicates room for further durability improvements. Meta acknowledges future iterations will aim at higher standards, such as IP67, to match real-world athlete demands. Privacy advocates continue to monitor smart glasses for discreet recording capabilities, though these Oakley frames still feature a visible LED to indicate active recording. The Oakley Meta HSTN will make its public debut at sporting events including Fanatics Fest and UFC International Fight Week in late June, signalling Meta's intent to align the product with live athletic experiences.
Los Angeles Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Meta launches $399 Oakley AI Glasses with 3K video recording
Meta Platforms Inc. is going up-market with its surprise hit smart glasses, rolling out new models with Oakley that are aimed at athletes and include improved video recording. The company on Friday launched new models based on Oakley's HSTN design, marking the company's first expansion away from Ray-Ban for its display-free glasses. Like the original models, the Oakley versions can make and take phone calls, play music, take pictures and video and use Meta's artificial intelligence to answer questions about the surrounding environment. The new versions, which start at $399 and go up to $499 for a limited edition model with gold-colored accents, include about double the battery life, video-recording at 3K resolution and water resistance. 'We are increasingly seeing performance use cases with the Ray-Bans like people wearing them on roller coasters, cycling and being around water, so we're trying to lean into that,' says Alex Himel, the company's vice president in charge of wearables, in an interview. Arriving at its second glasses brand was far from a sure thing. Meta's first glasses, the Ray-Ban Stories, flopped in 2021. But its follow-up version in 2023 was a massive success, giving the social networking giant a real potential hardware stronghold in the artificial intelligence race. 'It was crazy. Popularity caught us by surprise a bit,' Himel said. The Ray-Bans were 'going to be the last display-less pair of glasses. We said we'll take two swings at it, and if it doesn't work we'll go all-in on augmented reality.' Instead, beyond the latest Oakley model, the company has a multi-year road map for the display-less category and is planning a follow-up pair of Oakley glasses based on the Sphera design for later this year, according to people with knowledge of the matter. That pair will be aimed at cyclists and have a centered camera. Friday's model has a camera positioned in the upper corner like the Ray-Ban version. The display-free glasses are one component of the overall Meta AI hardware strategy. The company is planning to introduce higher-end glasses with a display to view notifications and the camera view finder later this year, Bloomberg News has reported. In 2027, it aims to roll out its first true augmented reality glasses, which will blend digital apps with the real world. Meta's form-factor has caught on, with several other technology companies working on competitors. Apple Inc. is planning to introduce its first glasses product at the end of 2026, Bloomberg News has reported. That device will operate similarly to the Meta product but better synchronize with the rest of the Apple ecosystem. Inc. also sells glasses, but their current models lack cameras. Himel, who said Meta has sold millions of glasses and has a 'nice, increasing multiple' of purchases on a year-over-year basis each week, attributed the increased popularity to the Ray-Bans improving across a large number of 'small things.' He said the audio quality and microphones started to surpass standalone earbuds, while the camera and AI quality also improved. Still, Himel said battery life remains the 'number one complaint' about the Ray-Ban versions. The new Oakley models can run for 8 hours on a single charge, with the charging case holding 48 hours of juice. 'You should expect a 40% bump with these' he says, attributing the improvement to new battery chemistry and software optimizations — not larger battery packs. Like Ray-Ban, Oakley is owned by EssilorLuxottica SA, which calls Oakley its second most popular brand after Ray-Ban. Himel said Meta will roll out new brands under the EssilorLuxottica portfolio 'as fast as we can. 'We're going to have to move very quickly because in the world of fashion, stuff moves very quickly,' he says. 'The stuff that is a hit right now might not be a year from now. We need to be fast to hit all the brands that we'd like to.' The first Oakley model, becoming available for pre-order on July 11, will be the $499 limited edition pair. The $399 versions — which come in grey, black, brown and clear colors — will be released in the coming months. There will be versions with clear, transition and polarized lenses. Like with the Ray-Bans, users can swap the lenses for prescription optics. The glasses will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, according to Meta. (Updated with availability of new smart glasses in several countries. A previous version corrected the name of Meta executive Alex Himel.) Gurman writes for Bloomberg.
Hypebeast
20-06-2025
- Business
- Hypebeast
Meta and Oakley Unveil All-New AI-Powered 'Oakley Meta HSTN' Glasses
Summary After teasing a mysterious new Instagram account –@oakleymeta– earlier this week,MetaandOakleytoday unveiled theOakley Meta HSTN, the first product from a new long-term partnership that introduces what they call 'a new category of Performance AI glasses.' Pronounced'HOW-stuhn', the new Oakley Meta glasses build on the success of its Meta'sRay-Bancollaboration and combine 'bold aesthetics with cutting-edge tech' to deliver a high resolution first-person perspective that can be controlled hands-free. They have a built-in 3K camera and a battery large enough to last up to eight hours with continuous use, as well as a charging case that holds an additional 48 hours of juice for peace of mind while on-the-go. They glasses also feature powerful open-ear speakers on both sides that are 'seamlessly integrated into the frames,' allowing users to listen to music with clarity while working out, and have an IPX4 rating for water and sweat-resistance. AIhas been worked into and throughout the core of the Oakley Meta HSTN, which include Meta AI – described by the tech giant as 'your personal AI assistant' – that can be used to plan your workout, answer questions, and even prompted to start filming. Oakley and Meta are releasing six options in their new Oakley Meta HSTN and three of these including Oakley's 'PRIZM' lens technology, described as 'one of the most advanced innovations in lens design' and said to help decode 'how the brain and eye process light.' Launching first, theLimited Edition Oakley Meta HSTNwill feature 24K PRIZM polarized lenses together with gold accents to commemorate Oakley's 50th anniversary this year. It's clear that Meta sees smart – or AI – glasses as the future. Last fall, it announced itsOrionglasses, and its move into sports-focused frames is not surprising. Alex Himel, VP of Wearables at Meta, said that Meta and Oakley's 'teams have been working together for years to understand the unique needs of athletes,' adding that 'glasses have emerged as the ideal tool for people to listen to music, capture videos.' Like Ray-Ban, Oakley is owned byLuxottica, and according to Rocco Basilico, its Chief Wearables Officer, this new partnership with Meta marks 'a bold new chapter' for the brand and sets 'a new standard for the industry.' Basilico added that Oakley Meta is 'part of a broader multi-brand, multi-technology strategy that reflects the scale of our ambition to build a connected eyewear category that spans lifestyles, communities, and use cases.' The limited-edition debut Oakley Meta HSTN glasses will be available to pre-order from July 11 priced at £499 GBP / $499 USD / €549 EUR. The rest of the Rx-ready collection – listed below – drops later this summer, with prices starting at £399 GBP / $399 USD / €439 EUR. Oakley Meta HSTN Warm Grey with PRIZM™ Ruby LensesOakley Meta HSTN Black with PRIZM™ Polar Black LensesOakley Meta HSTN Brown Smoke with PRIZM™ Polar Deep Water LensesOakley Meta HSTN Black with Transitions® Amethyst LensesOakley Meta HSTN Clear with Transitions® Grey LensesOakley Meta HSTN Black with Clear Lenses
Express Tribune
20-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Meta Oakley glasses: Kylian Mbappe stars as Meta confirms $499 new smart glasses, find out launch date and full details
Meta has announced its first pair of smart glasses in partnership with Oakley, marking a new step in its ambition to lead the wearable tech space. The limited-edition Oakley Meta HSTN model, announced by Meta, debuts at $499, with a broader release of Oakley-branded models starting at $399 later this summer. The glasses come equipped with a front-facing 3K camera — an upgrade from the 1080p resolution found in Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses — and boast a battery life of up to eight hours. Introducing Oakley Meta Glasses: Amplifying Human Potential — Reality Labs at Meta (@RealityLabs) June 20, 2025 A companion charging case can provide an additional 48 hours of power. Meta says the glasses are tailored for active lifestyles, supported by their IPX4 water resistance rating and sport-focused Oakley frame designs. Like Meta's previous smart glasses, the Oakley HSTN includes open-ear speakers, built-in microphones, and integration with Meta AI, which allows users to capture photos and videos, play music, conduct hands-free calls, and receive real-time information about their surroundings. The glasses also offer translation capabilities and can answer queries based on what the wearer sees — blending AI with everyday functionality. Meta is positioning the Oakley line as its entry into the performance and athletics category, diverging from the more lifestyle-focused Ray-Ban series. To further demonstrate its focus on athletics, Meta recruited French football star Kylian Mbappé as part of its launch campaign. Five colour and lens combinations are available, including prescription-compatible options. The premium model, available for preorder starting 11 July, features gold detailing and Oakley's signature PRIZM lenses. The launch follows Meta's extended partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of both Ray-Ban and Oakley. Over two million Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses have been sold to date, and the companies now aim to reach 10 million annual smart glasses sales by 2026. While Meta leads the current market, competition is mounting. Google has showcased XR glasses with built-in displays, and Apple is widely believed to be developing similar wearable tech. Still, Meta hopes to stay ahead by embedding AI into daily experiences. 'This is our first step into the performance category,' said Alex Himel, Meta's head of wearables. 'There's more to come.'
