Bose first announced its audio-based augmented reality sunglasses earlier this year. They use sound instead of sight to provide information to the user. The company today announced the consumer launch of this product. It’s now possible to pre-order the Bose Frames AR sunglasses.
Bose describes Frames as a product that combines the look of premium sunglasses with the functionality of wireless headphones in what happens to be the world’s first audio augmented reality platform.
Frames have a proprietary open-ear design and can stream music, information, place and receive calls, and even provide access to virtual assistants. It can do all of this while ensuring that everything remains private.
“They look and act like classic sunglasses — until you turn them on. And then you’re connected to your phone, contacts, the web, and all its audible content, just like headphones,” said Mehul Trivedi, director of Bose Frames.
Bose will begin shipping Frames from January 2019 for $199. Pre-orders are open starting today and Bose AR apps will be released in 2019 as well. They will be available in square, angled or round styles with both being capable of blocking up to 99 percent of UVA/UVB rays. The sunglasses have a lithium battery good for up to 3.5 hours of playback and 12 hours on standby. The battery can be fully charged in two hours.