Bose has announced ‘Frames’, a combination of premium sunglasses, wireless headphones, and the world’s first audio augmented reality platform.
According to the announcement, Frames is capable of taking micro-acoustics and voice control to an entirely new level, debuting the future of mobile sound in the tiniest, thinnest, and most lightweight Bose system ever. With a proprietary open-ear design, Frames can stream music and information, take and make calls, and access virtual assistants — while keeping playlists, entertainment, and conversations private. Frames are available starting January 2019 for USD 199. You can preorder from today.
“Bose Frames are both revolutionary and practical,” said Mehul Trivedi, Director of Bose Frames. He also added, “They look and act like classic sunglasses — until you turn them on. And then you’re connected to your phone, contacts, the web, and all its audible content, just like headphones. There’s nothing else like them — they’re a breakthrough you have to see, wear, and hear to believe.”
Bose Frames come in two timeless styles — square and angled, or round and slightly smaller. Both block up to 99% of UVA/UVB rays, and feature uniformly tinted lenses and distinct accents — including gold-plated steel hinges and charging pins. They’re scratch and shatter resistant, and weigh a mere 45 grams — standard for the category.
According to the announcement, a wafer-thin acoustic package is set seamlessly in each arm’s interior — rather than an earbud, or attached component — to produce discreet, jaw-dropping sound for the user, and no one else. For touch and voice control, an ultra-small microphone and multi-function button are embedded on the right temple for power and pairing, Siri and Google Assistant, calls and commands, or to pause and skip songs. The Bose Connect app provides additional features now, and software updates for new features in the future — like Bose AR.
Unlike other augmented reality glasses and platforms, Bose AR doesn’t change what you see, or use a lens or phone camera to superimpose objects in your sightline. Instead, it knows where you are and what you’re facing using a 9-axis head motion sensor and the GPS from your iOS or Android device — and automatically adds a layer of audio, connecting that place and time to endless possibilities for travel, learning, entertainment, gaming, and more.
