Why You Can Trust CNET Amazon's 2nd-gen Echo Frames are available to preorder for $250
The new smart glasses are slated to launch on Dec. 10.
Amazon Echo Frames are available to preorder now for $250, and Amazon says they will ship by Dec. 10.
Echo Frames -- the smart glasses with the voice assistant Alexa built in -- began their gradual rollout last year as part of Amazon's Day 1 Editions program, which offers limited releases of more experimental products. The Echo Frames, now in their second generation, are launching in earnest this season, and are open to preorder for anyone.
Unlike the smart glasses of movies or competitors, Echo Frames are less focused on creating visuals for users than they are on plugging Alexa direct into (or at least proximal to) your ear.
The second-gen smart glasses will include a few updates over the pilot product. Battery life is increased 40%, the power will automatically shut off when the Frames are set down for more than three seconds, volume will adjust automatically to account for ambient noise, and the frames themselves will come in three colors: Classic Black, Horizon Blue and Modern Tortoise (black and orange mottling).
When connected to an iPhone or Android phone over Bluetooth, Echo Frames can make audio calls, play music, set timers and answer questions. A spokesperson for Amazon said people can use Echo Frames to do things like control multiroom music across compatible Echo speakers and control smart home devices.
See also: Amazon Echo Frames review: We decided we don't really want to wear Alexa
