Focals by North: The Smart Glasses You Didn't Know You Needed

Introduction

Hey, corporate professionals! Ever felt the need to stay connected without constantly checking your phone? Enter Focals by North, smart glasses designed to offer a seamless blend of style and functionality. Let's dive into what makes these glasses a potential game-changer in wearable tech.

The Design: Finally, Smart Glasses You'd Want to Wear 👓🎨

Focals by North are designed to look like regular eyeglasses, a departure from the often clunky and awkward designs of previous smart glasses. They come with a tiny projector built into one arm, which beams an image onto a circular film on the right lens. The image is full-color and 110 pixels wide, making it discreet yet visible.

The Custom Fit: A 3D Scan for Your Face 📏👤

To ensure the perfect fit, North requires customers to get a 3D head scan at one of their stores. This is crucial because even a slight shift in the glasses' position can make the projected image disappear.

The Features: More Than Just a Pretty Face 📱🔍

Notifications at a Glance 👀🔔

Focals can display notifications from your phone, including texts, emails, and news headlines. The built-in microphone and speaker allow for voice commands, but there's no camera, ensuring a level of privacy.

Alexa, What's the Weather? 🌦️🗣️

Amazon Alexa is integrated into the Focals, allowing you to ask questions or control smart home devices directly from your glasses.

Battery Life: A Day's Worth of Use 🔋⏳

North claims the battery will last up to 18 hours, and the glasses come with a charging case that can extend the battery life for up to three days.

The Limitations: Not Quite There Yet 🚧🤷♂️

Prescription Woes 🤓💊

One significant drawback is that accommodating prescriptions can be challenging and adds $200 to the price tag.

Limited Functionality 📲🔒

While the glasses can display various notifications, their functionality is still somewhat limited. For instance, you can read an email but can't reply to it.

The Future: A Work in Progress 🛠️🔮

North has been regularly updating the Focals with new features like Spotify control and flight info. The company aims to make them a "super app" for your face, offering a range of services beyond just notifications.

Lessons for Businesses: The Takeaways 📚🔍

1. Design Matters: In wearable tech, aesthetics are as crucial as functionality.
2. User Experience: Customization can make or break a product.
3. Privacy Concerns: Always consider the user's privacy when integrating features like voice commands or notifications.