Although it’s taken a number of years over many iterations, wearable tech has greatly improved on visual aesthetics. Gone (mostly) are the days of clunky, inelegant design, where style takes the back seat to feature. But, if you are looking for some advanced eyewear, the latest from Wearable Gear & Pop (WGP) may interest you. The WGP Smart Audio Glasses combine wireless audio with quick-switching lens frames for flexible fashion.

Headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth wireless headsets are everyday items, so it’s hard to come by something truly new with wearable audio. You can also find plenty of audio sunglasses from various brands, including Bose. However, the problem with many existing options is that they’re not really fashion-forward. Too many look like they fell off the $10 rack at Walmart or CVS, for example. Thankfully, companies like WGP seek to improve this reality with functional fashion technology.

WGP’s second-generation Smart Audio Glasses are innovative by way of its modular design. The glasses “temples” (stems) house all the hardware, magnetically attaching to the frames. The temples come in matte black or gloss white, and they work interchangeably with any of the nine frames WGP currently has available. And these are some good looking styles! Choices include metal rims, different lens tints, and shapes that won’t automatically commit you as an extra in The Matrix.

On the hardware side, the Smart Audio Glasses pack all the features you would expect from an audio wearable, including touch controls. The glasses power up and pair automatically as soon as you put them on. Designed to stream sound directly to the ears, each temple combines AAC speakers with True Wireless Stereo technology. Ultra low-latency Bluetooth 5.0 with MEMS microphones support connections and voice control up to 33 ft (10 m) away.

Battery life is good for up to seven hours of continuous use, and the temples require only two hours to fully charge through special magnetic ports and included cable. The WGP Smart Audio Glasses are also designed to be durable and IPX67 water-resistant, which is also important. On top of that, each lens has anti-reflective, anti-scratch, and anti-fouling coatings for added protection.

These Smart Audio Glasses look to be ideal for those who want the style of interchangeable glasses with the convenience of Bluetooth audio. Not only do you get more options for the dollar, but you don’t have to stick anything in the ears. However, it’s worth noting that the initial launch of these second-generation specs will not include prescription lenses. The company is aware of the need, so they plan to implement that option in the future.

The WGP Smart Audio Glasses are currently funding on Kickstarter. The project has raised over 60 percent of its HK$80 thousand (approximately US$10 thousand) goal in its first day, and it has a little less than a month left of funding to go. Early bird pledges start at $140 for one pair, with a choice to include extra temples and/or frames. If everything goes according to schedule, backers can expect shipments to start in April 2021.

Source: Kickstarter, Wearable Gear & Pop