It was a bold gamble, but it paid off. With millions of units sold, Ray-Ban Meta glasses have proven that there is a real market for smart glasses that don't sacrifice style. Building on this success, Meta, in collaboration with the EssilorLuxottica group, is taking things to the next level. No more urban daily life, make way for sporty performance.
The new line, called Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced "Houston"), is a statement of intent. By adopting the bold and recognizable design of Oakley's HSTN range, these glasses are aimed primarily at athletes and sports enthusiasts who want to capture, analyze, and share their moments.
Performance above all: what really changes
While the basic idea remains the same as for Ray-Ban, with a camera, headphones, and a microphone integrated into the frame, the Oakley Meta HSTN are made for action. And the difference isn't just in the logo.
The real upgrade is in the video sensor. We go from a 1080p camera to Ultra HD (3K), thus competing in the territory of GoPro and Insta360.
The other key factor for a portable device is battery life, and on this point, Meta seems to have heard the critics. The Oakley Meta promises up to 8 hours of use (19 hours on standby), double that of their urban cousins. The charging case, also more durable, brings the total to 48 hours away from an outlet.
Of course, Meta AI artificial intelligence is still present. The voice assistant will allow, for example, a golfer to ask about the wind speed before a swing, or a surfer to inquire about the weather conditions, all without taking out their phone. In terms of durability, an IPX4 certification ensures protection against splashes and sweat, the bare minimum for a sports-oriented product. However, we regret not having more details on a more advanced waterproofing, which could put off water sports enthusiasts.
A complete range and arrival this summer
Meta and Oakley are not doing things by halves and are launching a collection to meet all styles and needs. The limited edition Oakley Meta HSTN, with its gold accents and PRIZM 24K lenses, will open the ball rolling on July 11th for pre-order at a price of 549 euros.
The rest of the collection will be available later this summer starting at 439 euros.
Kylian Mbappé as the face
By creating a showcase as powerful as Kylian Mbappé and tackling the action camera market head-on, Meta is showing that it firmly believes in the future of smart glasses. The social media giant is also preparing a model with Prada. This will put it ahead of Google and Apple, which are closely monitoring the evolution of this segment.
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