I tried the Meta Oakley Vanguard smart glasses, and they're cooler than they look

"I'm not a professional snowboarder, nor will I ever bike down a mountain like I have nine lives, but putting on the new glasses this week sure gave me false hope. The Vanguards were introduced at Meta Connect this week alongside two other pairs of Ray-Ban-branded glasses. And while I expected these to interest me the least -- because the extent of my workouts is chasing the subway to the office -- I left my hands-on session with curiosity and exhilaration."

"Also: Meta Connect 2025 live updates: Ray-Bans 2, Hypernova smart glasses, Oakley, more These are only the second pair of smart glasses designed under the Oakley brand, but the polish and finesse are evident, from the improved speakers embedded within the thin yet durable frame to the IP67 rating to the health and fitness ecosystem in which Meta has surrounded the Vanguard with."

"For starters, the Vanguards are very much inspired by the classic Oakley Sphaera visors, with a design that snowboarders, runners, bikers, and more can vouch for. Besides the camera and various components on the frames, these could pass as just another pair of sportswear. But the technology is impressive. Meta has carried over the best features of the Oakley HSTN model to the Vanguard, including the 12MP camera sensor that can capture at 3K resolution (capped at 30fps) and a six-hour-plus battery life."

Meta's Oakley Vanguards start at $499 and are available in four shades. The design draws heavily from the classic Oakley Sphaera visor, making the frames suitable for snowboarding, running, and biking while appearing like conventional sports eyewear. The glasses include a 12MP camera that records up to 3K at 30fps, a battery that lasts over six hours, and upgraded speakers embedded in a thin, durable frame with an IP67 rating. The camera is centered above the nose pads and controls are placed along the frames for optimal recording and use. The Vanguards integrate health and fitness features and can pair with Garmin for real-time workout information.

Read at ZDNET