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The new Meta overhaul of their surprisingly popular intelligent glasses has arrived, but under another fashion label. Oakey Meta HSTN is a new line of compatible glasses joining Meta-bandsBut they come with notable improvements to go with their new design and their slightly higher price.
Oakley, like Ray-Ban, is part of the Essilorluxottica glasses manufacturer. According to Meta’s portable technology chief, Alex Himel, they are only part of a range of Oakley products to come. And, to judge by questions that I have asked, sporting and fitness characteristics could soon be on the way.
“The number one complaint that we get about glasses at the moment is the life of the battery,” says Himel about existing meta-rays, but is optimistic that the new Oakleys will be better. “We offer a fairly substantial boost, 40% better with hardware and software improvements.”
The $ 499 limited edition version of Oakley Meta HSTN glasses is sold first, with more models later in summer.
Camera and battery boost
The new round frame glasses seem clear at first glance, and they should also provide welcome performance increases. The battery life according to Meta can last up to eight hours on a load now, instead of 3 to 4 hours, I normally put on shelves of rays. The on -board camera, always moved to the side, can shoot a higher wide angle video, with a 3K resolution this time. The glasses will be available in pre -order on July 11 from a special limited edition version of $ 499, following “later in summer” with prices that vary from $ 399 and for other models, with a variety of light filtering lens options.
According to Himel, the new glasses use the same Qualcomm chipset as the meta-rays of 1 year and a half (not the qualities of Qualcomm upcoming chipset), but can do more thanks to the improvements and optimizations of the camera and batteries, including a new set of batteries in the arms. AI live based on the sessionCurrently limited to about half an hour on current shelves, could see a boost on these new Oakley models. Himel also told me that the glasses were capable of a lower power camera mode which could work for lower resolutions for longer sessions compatible with AI, although when this feature can be unlocked is not clear.
The increased 3K video resolution (to an unusual 2203×2938, in portrait mode) should make lighter videos on the fly, and Himel sees a lot of use for sports or other extreme activities, although IPX4 water resistance is still not intended for water immersion. I asked questions about the possibilities of zoom functions, something that I would like the glasses to the camera. Unfortunately, there are no plans for that now, but Himel sees other ideas in progress. “I think you will see us launching a number of features at the intersection of taking photos and videos and AI, which, I think, will be great.”
Himel also sees the promise in iOS 26 Support for auto-ware and background treatment modes that could possibly help glasses to better share photos and videos with iPhones.
A clear pair in their charge case, which should give approximately 48 hours of life of the additional battery.
Sporting and fitness functions to come?
A missing piece, for me, always lies in the way in which glasses targeted by the increasingly sporting lifestyle and physical shape do not work directly with fitness applications on phones and watches. Himel sees many possibilities to come. “I really believe that in the next generation of laptops, which are glasses and new formal factors, health and well -being will always be a goal – but in a new version of this. When we talk about AI, which could be possible, the potential is enormous.”
How long could any fitness features happen? “I think you should hope to connect,” explains Himel, referring to the AR / VR developer conference at September in Meta where meta glasses and helmet updates tend to arrive … and when Meta should also launch a more advanced version of the glasses compatible with the display.
The fashion landscape for intelligent glasses is already accelerating quickly: Ray-Ban and Oakley for Meta, and Warby Parker, Gentle Monster and Kering Eyewear For Google In 2026. The AI compatible glasses space became real, but these glasses could also open the way to display glasses and AR. And, with the battery life, the Meta promise for Oakleys, we can get closer to the glasses that can really manage the always intensive features of AI over periods greater than half an hour, with more connected functions on the deck.
