Meta has announced the launch of the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses, marking its strategic entry into the sports eyewear market through a collaboration with Oakley. This innovative product, priced from USD $399, is designed to cater to athletes and sports enthusiasts by integrating cutting-edge digital and physical features.
The Oakley Meta HSTN is the inaugural offering in Meta’s Performance AI glasses category. It features an extended battery life, a high-resolution camera, water resistance, and the integration of Meta’s AI assistant, all aimed at enhancing athletic performance and user experience.
Key Features and Specifications
The Oakley Meta HSTN will be available in several countries, including the UK, the US, Canada, numerous European nations, and Australia. According to Meta, the glasses provide up to eight hours of typical use and 19 hours on standby with a single charge. A charging case accompanies the product, offering up to 48 additional hours of power, and fast charging capabilities allow the device to reach 50% charge in just 20 minutes.
Equipped with an Ultra HD (3K) camera, these glasses facilitate hands-free content capture and sharing. The IPX4 water resistance rating ensures durability during physical activities. Moreover, open-ear speakers are integrated into the frames, allowing users to listen to audio without earbuds.
Integration of Meta AI
Meta AI is embedded within the Oakley Meta HSTN, providing athletes with real-time information via voice commands. Users can inquire about current weather conditions on a golf course or use voice prompts to record and share videos on social media. This functionality is designed to support both training and performance enhancement.
The glasses are crafted for ease of use in both sports and everyday scenarios, with a range of commands accessible through Meta’s AI assistant.
Design and Customization Options
The Oakley Meta HSTN range includes models featuring Oakley’s PRIZM Lens technology, which is said to amplify contrast and enhance vision by fine-tuning the light spectrum. This aims to help athletes discern visual cues more clearly. The glasses come in various frame and lens color combinations, such as Warm Grey with PRIZM Ruby lenses and Black with PRIZM Polar Black lenses. Prescription-ready variants are also available.
A limited-edition model, commemorating Oakley’s 50th anniversary, will feature gold accents and 24K PRIZM Polar lenses, available for preorder at USD $499. Subsequent releases in the collection will start at USD $399.
Marketing and Athlete Endorsements
Prominent athletes like World Cup winner Kylian Mbappé and three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes are featured in the global campaign. The product will be showcased in scenarios where athletes use the glasses to check surf conditions, assess wind on the golf course, skateboard, and document sports activities hands-free.
Future Availability and Development
Meta has confirmed plans to expand the availability of the Oakley Meta HSTN to additional regions, including Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates later this year. This product launch is part of a broader collaboration between Meta and EssilorLuxottica, focusing on leveraging technology to enhance athlete performance and experience.
The companies emphasize that the product’s features stem from joint development, engineering, and a deep understanding of athletic needs. A Meta spokesperson stated,
“Meta and Oakley’s work is rooted in years of joint development, ground-up engineering, and an understanding of what drives athletes. We can’t wait to see how they change the game.”
This development follows Meta’s ongoing efforts to integrate advanced technology into everyday products, potentially setting a new standard in the sports eyewear industry.
