The world of connected objects never ceases to amaze us! After watches, rings and even smart necklaces, now eyewear is getting in on the act too. Amazon, the tech giant that never ceases to innovate, has come up with its latest creation: the Amazon Echo Frames 380. This third-generation model promises to be a wonder to behold, with a more sophisticated design and enhanced functionalities. The promise? Integrate Alexa into our field of vision (well, in a manner of speaking) while allowing us to listen to music, manage our notifications, and even control our home, without taking out our smartphone!
I had the opportunity to bring them back from Las Vegas during my last CES, and after having corrective lenses fitted, I've been using them daily for several months now, wearing them both in the office and on my daily commute. Between technological wonder and practical challenges, here are my impressions of this high-tech companion that has been with me ever since.
Unpacking the Amazon Echo Frames 380
First of all, let's talk about the packaging: Amazon takes great care in its presentation with an elegant box:
This contains the glasses, their carrying case and their charging cradle.
First observation: these Amazon Echo Frames 380 are remarkably well finished. Weighing just forty grams, they are surprisingly light on the nose.
The design is the real success of this third generation. From the front, it's impossible to distinguish these glasses from a conventional pair – only the slightly thicker temples betray their technological nature.
The finish is impeccable, with a blend of noble materials that give them a premium appearance justifying their price positioning.
The Amazon Echo Frames 380 pack impressive technology into their slim frames. There are two micro-speakers and four beam-forming microphones, all protected by IPX4 splash-proof certification.
The temples, although thicker than conventional glasses, cleverly integrate the control buttons: a volume wheel on the left, and action buttons on the right.
The supplied charging station is rather original, even if it requires a little dexterity to position the glasses correctly.
Unlike some competitors who use USB-C, Amazon has opted for a proprietary charging cradle that requires precise alignment of the wireless charging coils. While the cradle is very convenient to place on a bedside table, it's less so when you're traveling.
Compared with other connected glasses such as the Ray-Ban Meta, the Amazon Echo Frames are discreet and lightweight. It's a deliberate choice on Amazon's part to emphasize sobriety rather than integrate flashier features like a camera. And we can't blame them: these Amazon Echo Frames 380 go unnoticed everywhere I go.
The glasses are supplied with a case that folds up very easily, making them easy to transport:
Installing and configuring the Amazon Echo Frames 380
Setting up the Amazon Echo Frames 380 takes just a few simple steps. First and foremost, you need to download the latest version of the Alexa app onto your smartphone. The glasses are compatible with iOS and Android (version 8.0 minimum).
Please note, however, that as the glasses are not officially available in France, you'll need to have an American Amazon account(something easily achieved with a VPN).
The first step is to charge the glasses until the charging LED turns green. Once this is done, simply activate your smartphone's Bluetooth and launch the Alexa app.
In the app, go to the “More” menu, select the “+” icon and then “Add a device”. Then select “Amazon Echo” and “Echo Frames”.
The application then guides us step by step through the pairing process, which is carried out via Bluetooth.
As these glasses support the Alexa voice assistant, we of course activate the function when prompted. After all, that's the whole point of these connected glasses!
Although not yet distributed in France, it is possible to activate the French language for Alexa. Not all US features will be available, but most of the commands normally used with Alexa remain operational. In any case, I haven't encountered any real shortcomings in the months I've been using them.
The assistant then explains the various commands available on the Amazon Echo Frames 380.
Here's a handy tip: take the time to adjust the volume when you first use them. The Echo Frames use directional audio technology to project sound towards your ears. For optimum comfort, and to prevent others from overhearing your conversations, we recommend that you hold the glasses at arm's length and lower the volume until the sound is no longer perceptible.
But these glasses also offer a function that I particularly appreciate: automatic volume control. Depending on the ambient noise, the volume is automatically adjusted so that the information being broadcast is always audible, whether it's music, GPS guidance info, etc. A really practical function, which means I very rarely use the manual volume control.
You can also determine which notifications you want to be informed of. As with a connected watch, it's best to take the time to determine which notifications are important, so as not to have your ears spammed with notifications all day long. Personally, I leave notifications for calls, SMS, the alarm, my cameras and my home automation system.
It's then possible to set default applications, such as which music service to use.
The good news is that there's no obligation to use Amazon Music, as Spotify, for example, is one of the compatible services.
Of course, as these are Alexa-enabled glasses, all the skills available for this assistant are also available, whether for listening to the radio, controlling your connected home, etc.
And last but not least, glasses can of course be fitted with corrective lenses. In the USA, Amazon offers a service with selected partners. If this service is not available in France, you can go to your usual optician and ask for it. In general, you'll need to sign a disclaimer to release him from liability, as he's not the one supplying the frames. I personally had corrective lenses fitted to this frame without any problem.
As for adjusting the glasses, Amazon has come up with an ingenious system for adapting the temples to the wearer's morphology. If the glasses slip down your nose, you can adjust the temples slightly by gently bending them in the areas indicated in the instructions. Ask your optician to help you avoid any mishandling ;-).
Feedback: everyday life with Amazon Echo Frames 380
Everyday audio
Audio quality is one of the big surprises of these glasses. The four directional speakers deliver crisp, clear sound, particularly suited to podcasts and phone calls. Admittedly, don't expect deep bass, but the sound reproduction intelligently favors mid and high frequencies, allowing you to remain perfectly aware of your surroundings. So I can listen to music while I'm out and about, and still be aware of what's going on around me. I can take phone calls hands-free without taking out my smartphone. It still surprises many people to see me talking to myself, without a phone in my hand or headphones in my ears. But phone conversations work just fine this way, and my correspondents hear me perfectly. What's more, as these connected glasses can be paired with two devices simultaneously, I also use them for my computer visios: no need for headphones and microphone, everything is integrated into my glasses :)
Autonomy in real-life situations
In terms of battery life, the Amazon Echo Frames 380 keep their promises, with around 14 hours of normal use. For example, you'll be able to perform around 40 interactions with Alexa, listen to 45 minutes of music and receive 90 notifications. For continuous audio listening, count on around 3 hours, which remains respectable for this type of device.
In “normal” use, I've lasted just about all day with them, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. approximately. When they run out of battery, they of course continue to perform their primary role: seeing clearly :p A verbal notification tells us when the battery is running low, and when they should be switched off.
At night, I simply place them on their recharging stand on my bedside table, and they're ready to go again in the morning. Recharging is therefore fairly transparent, without representing a real necessity.
Home automation at the tip of my nose
As far as I'm concerned, these glasses really excel in home automation control! A simple “Alexa” is all it takes to control the lighting, adjust the thermostat or even lock the front door. No need to search for your smartphone when it's charging in the kitchen – voice commands are all you need to control everything. The skills available allow you to control everything from lighting to lawnmowers to heating. And, of course, it's possible to control your Jeedom or Home Assistant installation! No need to take out the smartphone or have a connected speaker around: our assistant is always with us, at home, in the car or out and about. And we get immediate voice feedback, like a little voice in our head confirming that everything's okay :D I love it, especially as Alexa's synthesized voice is quite pleasant.
A little tip: I also use the Voice Notify application (on Android), which verbally transcribes notifications from my smartphone. The app allows you to play announcements only on a particular device (in this case, the glasses), during certain hours, and for certain applications only. These could be notifications from my alarm or home automation system, the reading of my wife's text messages, the price change of my favorite cryptos, and so on. So notifications are no longer limited to a simple audible alert that requires you to get out of your smartphone to see what it's about: Alexa reads the text of the notification directly to me, so I can be informed of important events without having to consult my smartphone.
Everyday comfort
At just 40 grams on the scale, these glasses are quickly forgotten. The weight distribution is particularly well thought-out, with the bulk of the electronic components housed in the temples. The rubber tips ensure a comfortable fit, even if their adjustment sometimes requires a little patience. But once properly adjusted, they're completely forgettable. Having worn glasses for over 25 years, I've had no trouble adjusting to them.
There's just one point to bear in mind: these are electronic goggles, so don't forget to remove them before going into the pool! Splash-resistance (IPX4) means they can be used in wet weather, but be sure to dry them immediately with a clean cloth. These goggles are not waterproof and must never be submerged. This is really the only tricky point to watch out for.
Unlike some connected glasses, such as Ray-Ban Meta (which I'll be reviewing shortly), Echo Frames are discreet. From the front, it's impossible to tell them apart from a conventional pair – only the slightly thicker temples betray their technological nature. This sobriety is a real asset, especially in sensitive locations such as airports, where camera-equipped glasses can be a problem.
Going further with artificial intelligence
If you follow the news at all, you'll be aware that Amazon is preparing the arrival of “Remarkable Alexa”, the premium version of its voice assistant, which promises more natural, contextual interactions with our connected environment.
With this new version, glasses will be able to understand and execute more complex commands. For example, they will be able to perform several actions simultaneously, such as “turn off the TV, dim the lights and launch a playlist”. The assistant will also become more proactive, able to adapt to our daily habits and automatically create personalized routines. So we'll have an even more efficient assistant, always at our fingertips thanks to connected glasses!
This is a feature that is becoming increasingly important in the field of connected glasses. Meta already offers advanced AI functionality on its Ray-Ban Meta. These can visually analyze the environment, translate texts in real time, and even create contextual reminders. For example, it's possible to look at a book and ask for a reminder to buy it the following week. But while the promises here are very interesting, Meta's AI is not yet available in France either.
And the two tech giants are adopting distinct approaches: Amazon is banking on advanced integration with home automation and voice assistants, which is of particular interest to us, while Meta is focusing on visual interaction and real-time translation.
The final verdict: connected glasses that see far
After several months of intensive use, the Amazon Echo Frames 380 have established themselves as much more than just a technological gadget. With their sober, elegant design, satisfactory audio quality and seamless integration into the Alexa ecosystem, they represent a mature evolution in connected glasses. They're much more than just glasses with microphones and speakers: the integration of the Alexa assistant changes everything in our connected lives.
Admittedly, the $269 price tag may seem steep, especially considering the future subscription to Remarkable Alexa to take advantage of advanced AI features. But for home automation enthusiasts and early adopters, the investment is justified by the comfort of everyday use and the possibilities they offer. Several models and colors are available, in classic or solar lenses. There's something for every taste.
The strong points are undeniable: excellent build quality, a decent 14-hour battery life, and above all, remarkable discretion, which means they can be worn in all circumstances, where camera-equipped models arouse suspicion in those around them. With Amazon Echo Frames 380, voice control of the connected home becomes natural and fluid, while audio quality for calls and music proves more than adequate.
All in all, the Amazon Echo Frames 380 represent a fine evolution in the world of wearables. They foreshadow tomorrow's way of interacting with our connected objects: natural, discreet and efficient. And with the imminent arrival of Remarkable Alexa, there's plenty more to come. One thing's for sure: Amazon is thinking big with these glasses, and it shows! There's just one detail left: when will they officially arrive in France?
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