HTC Launches VIVE Eagle Smart Glasses in Australia Showcasing Dual AI Engines and Privacy-Centric Design
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Quick Read
- HTC unveils the VIVE Eagle smart glasses in Australia with a price tag of A$799.
- Purchase options include VIVE.com, Amazon, and Harvey Norman.
- Adaptable AI choices featuring Google Gemini and OpenAI GPT.
- Privacy-centric design boasting ISO-certified safety features.
- Includes functionalities like Total Memory Recall and real-time translation.
- Optional accessory VIVE Power Boost for prolonged battery duration.
AI flexibility without corporate constraints
The majority of smart glasses available lock you into a specific corporate ecosystem. By committing to one brand, you become tethered to their unique voice assistant and model.
HTC embraces a distinct approach with VIVE Eagle. Using the VIVE Connect companion app on both iOS and Android, you can opt for either Google Gemini or OpenAI GPT. Should you lean towards Gemini for everyday context and inquiries, you can designate it as your default. If your preference is GPT for logical reasoning and writing, transitioning between them only requires a few taps in the settings menu.
Basic voice functions like snapping photos, playing tunes, or making calls are processed locally on the device. For more intricate contextual inquiries, VIVE AI anonymizes and encrypts your request before sending it through enterprise accounts to the selected large language model. This arrangement ensures that third-party AI providers cannot easily compile an advertising or tracking profile based on your queries.
The system brings features like Total Memory Recall to assist you in recalling where you’ve parked or other specific details, along with live translation capabilities in as many as 96 languages in the Pro tier and image-to-text translation for menus and signage.
Privacy-first hardware design
The protection of privacy is a key element of the VIVE Eagle framework. Rather than considering privacy as an additional feature, HTC has established stringent hardware and software safeguards that adhere to ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certifications.
Once the glasses are removed, the camera automatically turns off. An external LED indicator turns on whenever photo or video recording is in progress, adjusting its brightness according to the ambient light in the room. If someone obstructs that LED, recording is halted. Nearby individuals can verbally command “stop filming” to cease an active recording.
All captured media remains encrypted within the 32GB of onboard local storage. Nothing is sent to external cloud storage without your intervention. You individually choose which pictures or videos to transfer to your mobile device using the VIVE Connect app. Even if another individual pairs their device with your glasses, your encrypted content stays secure.
Specifications for everyday eyewear and camera quality
Weighing around 49 grams with lenses installed, the frames resemble standard designer eyewear remarkably closely. HTC offers two styles, Pantos and Square, in six color variations: Charcoal Black, Clear Brown, Navy, Brown, Black, and Berry.
The optical configuration features ZEISS lenses, available in UV400 Sunglasses, UV400 Clear, and UV380 Adaptive transition glass. For those requiring prescriptions, HTC provides a Lenswap voucher in every retail package sold in Australia, accommodating prescriptions from -8D to +4D.
The device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 platform, coupled with 4GB of RAM. The camera system is equipped with a 12MP ultra-wide sensor capable of recording 3K video at a resolution of 2176 by 2944 pixels at 30 frames per second, high-resolution HDR photographs, and slow-motion capture at 120fps.
Audio is supported by open-ear directional stereo speakers that enhance bass output, allowing you to remain aware of your environment during travels or workouts. A four-microphone array, which includes a dedicated directional mic situated within the nose bridge, effectively filters out wind and background noise during calls and voice commands. The complete package boasts an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance.
