There’s a new set of smart glasses on the market, and the second generation pair from Even Realities have caught my attention, potentially turning me from a smart specs-skeptic to a glasses groupie.
Unlike the well-known Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, the new Even G2 don’t feature a camera or speakers.
You may initially think they don’t sound very smart, but they have something Meta’s glasses don’t – display capabilities.
Now, these are far from the first set of smart specs to come with a display, but from the press materials I’ve been able to view, these could be the best looking smart eyewear to date.
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A slimline frame, no bulky camera corners, and no chunky arms (almost). The Even G2 appear to look like regular glasses. There are two oversized sections, firstly around the hinge where the miniature micro-LED projectors for the display are housed – but this seems to still be subtle.
The second oversized section, which admittedly is less aesthetically pleasing, is a lump at the end of each arm – no doubt housing the batteries for the specs.
I’ve currently got a mop of hair, so the ends of the arms could disappear into my flowing locks – but they might become more obvious when I finally decide to get a cut. I’ll have to wait for the glasses to arrive to find out. This does seem to be the only wrinkle in what is overwise a design I’m really digging.
They’ll be available in two shapes panto (aka sort-of circular) and rectangular, and there’s a choice of three colors; grey, brown and green.
They should feel good too, as they’re made from aerospace-grade titanium and magnesium alloy, avoiding the cheap finish we found with the Solos AirGo 3.
Weight has been another concern of mine where it comes to smart glasses, especially as I’m not a spectacle wearer day-to-day. Any eyewear needs to be comfortable and lightweight.
The G2’s tip the scales at 36g – considerably lighter than Meta’s Gen 2 Wayfarer (from 51g), Headliner (from 51g) and Skyler (53g).
Display > Camera
Okay, so it’s clear I think these smart glasses look great – but what about their actual functionality?
Now, I’m not going to be watching movies on the Even G2, but I’m intrigued by its standalone interface – this isn’t a simple case of smartphone mirroring – for useful notifications, time checks, and hands-free navigation directions, all directly in your eyeline.
Even Realities claims its interface can use AI to aid real-time translation, while a teleprompt mode can fizz up a script before your eyes without your audience realizing.
For me, these features are far more useful than being able to snap a picture or grab a quick video. They could see me reaching for my phone less, which can only be a good thing.
It all sounds delightfully convenient… if it works. And that’s the big if. Smart glasses are only useful if they work every time, without issue, misunderstanding or repeated prompting.
Battery life also sounds impressive. Even Realities claims the G2 can last up to two days on a single charge, with the optional battery case capable of holding another seven full recharges – which should mean I only need to find an outlet every couple of weeks.
And if I really want to feel like I’m in the future, the firm’s new Even R1 smart ring can enable gesture controls when paired with the glasses – again, convenient if it works well. It’s also a second piece of hardware you will need to purchase (and remember to charge).
If you’d rather not have the additional outlay (the smart ring also measures your health metrics, among other things), the Even G2 can be controlled by voice and via touchpads on the glasses.
Then there’s the cost
Packing in display functionality into a set of glasses isn’t easy, and that’s reflected in the Even G2 price of $599.
Meta’s Gen 2 Ray-Ban glasses start at $399, and while you don’t get display functionality, you do get a camera and speakers – two things the Even Realities set doesn’t offer.
Yet, they’re cheaper than Meta’s own display-enabled glasses, with the Ray-Ban Display setting you back $799 – but it does come with the Meta Neural Band to pick up on subtle hand gestures.
If you want gesture control on the G2 glasses, you’ll need to purchase the R1 smart ring for $249. The Even G2 and Even R1 are available from the firm’s website now.
Of course, if you’re looking for a more immersive wearable experience you’ll need to save up for Apple’s M5-powered Vision Pro, or take a punt on less aesthetically pleasing XR glasses such as the $499 Viture Luma Pro.
