HTC Vive Eagle Smart Glasses Launch in the West

HTC has officially launched the Vive Eagle smart glasses in North America, Europe, the UK, and Australia, one year after their debut in Taiwan. Initially aimed to compete with Meta’s offerings, these glasses have generated considerable anticipation among tech enthusiasts eager to experience their features. Now, the wait is over, and consumers can evaluate whether the Vive Eagle stands as a strong contender in the smart glasses market.

The specifications of the Vive Eagle remain unchanged from the original launch. Inside, the device is powered by a Snapdragon AR Gen 1 processor, complemented by 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The battery capacity is 235mAh, promising an impressive standby time of up to 36 hours. Users will find a 12-megapixel front-facing camera, and HTC assures that the notification LED will not be easily disabled. The glasses are designed not to record video unless worn, and if a bystander requests to stop filming, all recording will cease instantly.

A key feature of the Vive Eagle is its access to artificial intelligence. Users can select between OpenAI and Gemini based on their specific needs. HTC emphasizes that any data collected will not be used to enhance its own AI models, ensuring that user requests remain anonymous and free from profiling. The AI interacts with users through open-ear stereo speakers built into the glasses, allowing for an immersive experience while listening to music or podcasts throughout the day.

The HTC Vive Eagle comes in two distinct shapes—square and panto—and offers a range of translucent color options, including Black, Coffee, and Berry. It is equipped with Zeiss lenses, available in clear, tinted, or adaptive formats, and HTC makes it easy for users to add prescription lenses later. In the United States, the Vive Eagle is available for purchase starting today at a price of $499 for the base model without specialized lenses. For consumers in Europe and the UK, shipments are set to commence on September 21st, with the entry-level model priced at €469 or £429.