Let me tell you, before you look at yet another review of smart glasses, Amazon Echo Frames (Gen 2) might sound like another half-hearted effort by tech companies to push smart virtual assistants wherever they are not needed, further complicating our already chaotic lives. These are well-thought out, designed, implemented, and I can assure you of that. They've been worn for more than a year by hundreds nerds, just like me. The Echo Frames were first introduced at Amazon's fall 2019 hardware-and-services event. They are part of Amazon's Day 1 Editions program where Amazon hopes to product-test new designs and ideas with early adopters. Prime customers can apply to the program and, if accepted, receive the Day 1 device at reduced prices. Echo Loop, an Alexa powered smart ring, is the only Day 1 Edition product. Echo Frames and the Loop were removed from the program in 2020. Officially, the smart eyeglasses were Amazon's first Day 1 Edition product that "graduates" to a fully-available consumer device. This Amazon Echo Frames Gen 2 review is a little confusing, as it appears less than one year after my original Echo Frames review. The 2nd generation glasses function and look the same as the first, but there are some key differences and nuances. This product is an incremental update to the Day 1 Edition. I will try to address any issues that Amazon claims it has improved since the test-case product. If you were among the lucky ones to have a Day 1 Edition, or my friend Mr. Mobile.
Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Generation) Bottom Line: While the Echo Frames (2nd Generation) aren’t a significant improvement on their predecessors, they don’t have to be. Amazon has made some improvements to the Echo Frames (2nd Gen) since the Day 1 beta testing, including improved battery life, better styling and useful software features that will make it available for general public use. It was a strong second attempt. The good Improved battery lifespan
Available in 3 colors
Software features such as Auto Volume, VIP Filter and Auto-Off are new,
One-tap access to Siri or Google Assistant
No wireless charging
Amazon has sunglass and blue-light lens prices starting at $180
Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Generation): Prices & Release Date
Source: Amazon
Amazon announced the second generation smart glasses in November 2020, after a year of beta testing the original Echo Frames through the Day 1 Editions program. After their initial price of $225, the Echo Frames (2nd Generation) were resold at their regular retail price of $250. They are currently available on Amazon for as low $180. Amazon launched three new versions of its Echo Frames (Gen 2) in May 2021. They include blue-light-filtering, blue mirror, and polarized sunglass lenses. They can be worn straight out of the box without any modifications, but they are slightly more expensive than the standard Echo Frames with prescription lenses. Amazon sells these tinted lenses for $270. In late October 2021, Amazon added Pacific Blue and Quartz Grey options to its tinted lens range. The "regular" glasses can still be purchased by those who have to consult their optometrists to ensure they are fitted for the correct prescriptions. This will incur an additional charge. Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Generation): New style and features
Source: Jeramy Johnson/Android CentralEcho Frames (Gen2) on the bottom
Amazon made iterative improvements to the second edition after removing the wrinkles from Day 1 Editions and observing how Echo Frames were being used by testers. These minor changes included color and composition improvements, as well as feature-level enhancements. Below, I will address each of these updates. Physical Updates You'll be able to see that the Echo Frames (2nd Generation) are slightly more stylish than their predecessors. The look was described in my initial review as having a 1960s NASA engineer vibe. They don't look bad, although the frames are still quite thick for me. You wouldn't even notice that they were smart. They were still available in Classic Black and Horizon Blue at the time of this review. Modern Tortoise was also available. Can't you picture a cute reptile wearing a top hat with its Echo Frames and heading off to work? Amazon has added more colors to their original launch, including Pacific Blue and Quartz Grey.
Source: Magdalena Kula Manchee / Unsplash
Amazon claims that the Echo Frames (2nd Generation) will last 40% longer than their predecessors in terms of battery life. There are always caveats when it comes to battery issues. This claim applies to those who listen to continuous audio at 60% volume. Amazon claims that this means you can talk for two hours (conversing with Alexa on the phone or with Alexa), as well as media playback or listening to music at 80% volume. Although I won't be the first person to admit that I didn’t make as many calls or converse with Alexa as I should during the review, I can tell you that the battery lasted a full day and into the evening without any problems. I listened to music about an hour per day, and asked Alexa for reminders to do other trivia or to do certain things. My AC friends blew up my Telegram during my review period, so I received lots of notifications. The battery percentage didn't suffer too much from this. Auto Volume Auto Volume is a kind of intelligent ambientEQ that adjusts the volume of your media based on noises in your environment. You can toggle the setting from the Alexa app's home screen. Or, you can access the Echo Frames device settings and select a customized listening profile. My profile is set to the "softer" setting because I prefer music playing in the background, but not blasting at my face. You can also manually adjust the volume of the stems, or ask Alexa. This is the "set it and forget" preset.
This feature was not always a success for me. While it worked well when my family was talking around me, it became a problem when I had to do loud chores around the house, such as the dishes. This feature will improve over time, but I found it a little confusing at the moment. Although VIP Filter and Top Contact VIP filter are not new ideas, it is an update of the Echo Frames feature set. It allows you to choose which messages and apps have permission to send you updates. Alexa will notify you the first time you receive a notification from an Echo Frame (Gen 2) app. You can choose to dismiss the notification or tell Alexa to stop allowing such notifications through. You can also swipe across the right temple panel to have Alexa read the notification. You can change your mind about what apps or notifications you would like to allow through. Just go into Alexa and update the Echo Frames settings.
To the dismay of her colleagues, Alexa doesn't like to read obscenities aloud. Interesting side note: Alexa does not like to read profanity or obscenities aloud. This was something I discovered from AC colleagues who were messaging me via Telegram at a team meeting. (I asked them). Alexa will bleep out a cuss word if you spell it correctly. If you spell it phonetically, or just make it longer, Alexa will try to read it to your friend. That's worth a lot of fun, my friend! Amazon launched a new feature called Top Contact that allows users to make a call using the touchpad by long pressing the button. The Alexa app allows users to set their preferred Top Contact. Auto Off and a new wake word
Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central
Amazon's Echo Frames 2nd Generation now has Auto-Off, which may be the simplest and most useful new feature. This feature preserves battery life when your Frames are not in use but you don't have them charged. Turn them upside-down on a surface or table and they will shut off. All electronics, including the microphones and speaker, go completely dark. A red light will appear under the touch panel to indicate that this is true. This feature can be enabled from either the quick settings menu of your Alexa app, or the device settings for Frames. This seems like an obvious feature, but it's extremely useful. Echo Frames owners now have the option to change their wake word from "Alexa", to "Echo" with the Alexa app's late 2021 update. Still good
Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central
These updates aside, Echo Frames (2nd Generation) look, feel and perform just like the Day 1 Edition. Amazon is open to the possibility that Alexa will still perform her smart assistant tasks, and the Frames could be used to automate your day with Alexa Skills or Alexa Routines. The Echo Frames (Gen 2) are my preferred earbuds and headphones. I find it more enjoyable to listen to music through them than any other headphones. It is subtler and allows you to feel more present in your environment. I hadn't worn the original Echo Frames in a while and had forgotten how much music I enjoy listening to as I work. I am fortunate to have my own workspace so I don't need noise-canceling headphones or earbuds. This passive listening is much more enjoyable to me than having my ears covered with a device. It's like having a radio playing softly in the background. It provides background noise that isn't distracting but allows me to hear what's around me. This kind of listening may not be ideal for noisy environments, but it works well for me. Amazon has also made Echo Frames (2nd Generation) privacy a priority. You can disable Alexa the same way as any Echo. The Echo Frames (2nd Gen) won't even listen to your voice if you put them in sleep mode or shut them down. It's important to note that smart glasses don't have a display or camera. You and your family don't have to worry about being watched by a creepy camera, but you can also focus on your daily tasks without worrying. You can ask Alexa to erase your recordings and review your privacy settings through the Alexa Privacy hub.
Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Generation): More designs, use cases and messaging options are required.
Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central
You won't be surprised, if you've made it this far, to discover that I have very little negative feedback to offer the Echo Frames (2nd Generation). Amazon has done a great job of addressing privacy concerns (both here and with other Echo devices). It has also focused on adding features that will make the experience more useful and enjoyable, rather than focusing on the firehose approach that many companies succumb to. This means that users are not overwhelmed with too many options or features that aren't useful or easy to find. Fashion will be the greatest obstacle to Echo Frames buyers, no matter how cool they are. Fashion is the greatest obstacle to acceptance, aside from Alexa. Amazon has added two new, stylish color/design options to this version. I think they look great. This particular style is not for everyone. Amazon should continue to offer new styles and partner with other companies in this space, just as Apple does with Nike or Hermes on its Apple Watch. However, I was happy to see that Amazon quickly updated the product with sunglass lens options and blue-light filtering. Amazon should also develop a wireless charging solution to charge the Echo Frames Gen 3 model. These glasses, like many other wearables come with a proprietary charger. It would be so easy to take your Frames off, turn them into Auto-Off mode and then place them on a charging mat for when they are not in use. Last but not least, I would love to have more options in messaging. If you are on Android, all text messages you ask Alexa for will be sent through your default SMS app. They will go through the Alexa app's message service if you are on iOS. Although I am aware of the limitations Apple has, I would love for Alexa to send me a message through Telegram or another messaging app. This feature could be added to the next software update. I am sure others would also appreciate it. Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Generation): The competition
Source: Bose Pictured by Bose Frames
The smart watch market has seen a lot of growth in recent years, thanks to the top smartwatches as well as the best wireless earbuds. However, smart glasses have been slow to catch up. North Focals were the most advanced in creating a pair of good smart glasses. The first two generations had a very cool heads-up display. Google acquired North in 2020, but we haven’t heard much about product development since. Rumours have circulated that Apple is working on AR/VR glasses. However, no concrete information has yet come from Cupertino. The Razer Anzu smart glasses are the most realistic alternative to Echo Frames (2nd Generation) at the moment. These smart glasses can be used with your smartphone's assistant. They look great, have interchangeable lenses, and they sound good. Although they have their flaws, they are $50 cheaper than Echo Frames (2nd Generation). Fauna Audio Glasses are another option. These glasses can be used with your smart assistant on your phone and cost roughly the same as the Echo Frames (2nd Generation). There are also a few "smart" glasses available that can be used as Bluetooth speakers and attached to fashionable sunglasses, such as the Bose Frames.
Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Generation): Should You Buy?
Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central
This is the best product to buy if you already use Alexa, another smart voice assistant, regularly
You were interested in Day 1 Editions, but did not want to invest in beta products.
If you like to hear the world around and listen to audio, you should not purchase this.
Smart voice assistants are not for you.
The design of your eyeglass frames is important to you. If you are looking for a pair of glasses that will fit well with your existing smart voice assistants, Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri and need them, the Amazon Echo Frames (Gen 2) would be a great choice. These glasses have many useful features, but they can also easily fade out of sight and out of your mind when you are not using them. Even if they run out of battery, they will still function as eyeglasses. Owners of Day 1 Edition Echo Frames shouldn't feel the need for an upgrade, especially if they have been in use for less than one year. Amazon will allow you to upgrade to the most recent version for only $70. This is a great deal. 4.5/5 I have often written about my desire to see Amazon bring Alexa outside the home and out into the world. These might be the first products to make that happen, even more than the Echo Buds. These might be my favorite Alexa device, which is a big compliment coming from me.
Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Generation) Amazon has made some improvements to the Echo Frames (2nd Gen) since the Day 1 beta testing, including improved battery life, improved styling and useful software features that will make it available for general public use. It was a great second attempt. Amazon: Starting at $180
Review Changelog, November 2021. This article was first published in February 2021. The following modifications were made to the article in November 2021. The pricing and availability section has been updated to reflect new models and current pricing.
Additional information on the colors Pacific Blue and Quartz Grey
Information about Top Contact and Echo's wake-word features has been added. This page was updated with the following changes in June 2021: A revised pricing and availability section has been added to reflect current pricing.
Updated competition section with Razer's Anzu smart glasses and Fauna’s audio glasses.
Updated with new blue-light-filtering and sunglass options.
