There’s a new pair of smart glasses on the market, and the second-generation Even Realities pair caught my attention, potentially turning me from smart glasses skeptic to glasses fanatic.
Unlike Ray-Ban’s well-known Meta smart glasses, the new Even G2s have neither a camera nor a speaker.
At first you might think they don’t sound very smart, but they have something that the Meta specs don’t: mapping capabilities.
Now, this is far from the first set of smart specs to come with a display, but based on the press materials I’ve been able to see, these might be the most attractive smart glasses around.
Look at this
Slim frame, no bulky camera angles and no fat arms (almost). Even the G2 looks like regular glasses. There are two large sections, the first around the hinge, which houses the small LED projectors for the screen, but still looks good.
The second large section, which is admittedly less aesthetic, is the bulge at the end of each arm: this is undoubtedly the battery housing for the glasses.
I have a piece of hair right now, so the ends of my hair may disappear in my loose locks, but they may become more obvious when I finally decide to cut them off. I’ll have to wait for the glasses to arrive to find out. This seems to be the only design wrinkle I’m really looking for.
They are available in two shapes, antler (also known as round) and rectangular, and you can choose from three colors; Gray, brown and green.
They should feel good, too, as they’re made from aerospace-grade titanium-magnesium alloy, avoiding the cheap finish we found on the Solos AirGo 3.
Weight is another concern of mine when it comes to smart glasses, especially since I don’t wear glasses every day. All glasses should be comfortable and light.
The G2 weighs 36g, which is significantly lighter than the Meta Gen 2 Wayfarer (from 51g), Headliner (from 51g) and Skyler (from 53g).
Screen > Camera
OK, I think these smart glasses look cool, but what about their actual functionality?
Now, I won’t be watching movies on the Even G2, but I was intrigued by its distinctive interface (not a typical case of smartphone mirroring) for useful notifications, time control and hands-free navigation instructions, all directly in line of sight.
Reality even claims that its interface can use artificial intelligence to help with real-time translation, while a TV prompt mode can create a script before your eyes without the audience understanding it.
For me, these features are much more useful than being able to take a photo or record a quick video. You can see I’m reaching for my phone less, which can only be a good thing.
It all sounds very convenient… and It works, and it’s great. and. Smart glasses are only useful if they always work, without problems, misunderstandings and repeated warnings.
Battery life also sounds impressive. Despite Reality’s claim that the G2 can last up to two days on a single charge, the extra battery can last seven more full charges, which means I have to find an outlet every few weeks.
And if I really want to feel futuristic, the company’s new Even R1 smart ring can enable gesture control when paired with glasses; again, it’s useful if it works well. This is the second piece of equipment you’ll need to buy (and don’t forget to charge).
If you don’t mind spending too much (the smart ring also measures your health), the G2 can even be controlled by voice and the touchpad on the glasses.
Then there is the cost.
Packing viewing features into glasses isn’t easy, and that’s reflected in the Even G2’s $599 price tag.
Meta’s Ray-Ban Gen 2 glasses start at $399, and while you don’t get a screen feature, you do get a camera and speakers, two things that even the Reality set doesn’t offer.
Still, they’re cheaper than Meta’s on-screen glasses, Ray-Ban Display, which will set you back $799, but they also come with the Meta Neural Band to pick up subtle hand gestures.
If you want gesture control with the G2 glasses, you’ll need to purchase the $249 R1 Smart Ring. The Even G2 and Even R1 are now available on the company’s website.
Of course, if you’re looking for a more immersive wearable experience, you’ll need to splurge on Apple’s M5-based Vision Pro, or opt for less aesthetically pleasing XR glasses like the $499 Viture Luma Pro.
