Solos Introduces Smart Glasses with Removable Camera Privacy Shield

Smart Glasses with Removable Camera Privacy Shield">

Smart glasses company Solos, known for its audio-only glasses, has announced two new pairs: the AirGo A6, which focuses on audio, and the Solos AirGo V2, which includes a camera. The AirGo V2 can perform various tasks such as taking photos and videos, playing music, and interacting with an AI-powered assistant. It can be fitted with prescription lenses and has a battery life of 10 to 12 hours.

The AirGo V2 glasses are priced at $299 and come with a new Privacy Kit, a set of clip-on accessories that allow wearers to control what their camera glasses can access. The kit includes a clip-on privacy shield that blocks the camera's view and a polarized lens. The full kit costs $79.

Solos' approach to addressing privacy concerns by offering a removable privacy shield may not be the most effective way to alleviate worries about discreet cameras. The extra steps required to use the shield may deter people from prioritizing privacy. Additionally, there's nothing to prevent bad actors from removing the shield later.

Solos' first camera-enabled glasses, the Solos AirGo Vision, launched in 2024 but received criticism for its design, media capture quality, and power-hungry app. Meta dominates the smart glasses market, but other companies like Google, Samsung, and Apple are entering the scene. Some smaller companies, like Even Realities, are focusing on camera-free glasses.

Solos' reemphasis on privacy comes after criticism of Meta's glasses, which have been called 'creepy' and criticized for silently adding face recognition code. Meta has acknowledged demand for audio-only smart glasses, but hasn't shifted its focus yet. Solos aims to capitalize on this market with its new glasses.

Why this matters: The introduction of Solos' smart glasses with a removable privacy shield highlights the growing importance of privacy considerations in the smart glasses market. As more companies enter the scene, including tech giants like Google, Samsung, and Apple, the competition for market share will intensify. Solos' approach to addressing privacy concerns may appeal to consumers who value discretion, but its effectiveness remains to be seen.

The implications of this development are far-reaching, with potential impacts on how businesses and consumers interact with smart glasses and the types of features that become standard in the industry. Open questions remain about how companies will balance innovation with responsible data practices and how regulators will respond to the evolving smart glasses landscape.