Amazon has announced new colors for its Echo Frames smart glasses, and they are also getting a handful of new features that will begin to roll out to owners starting on November 10. The Echo Frames first launched in 2018 as Amazon's first attempt into the smart glasses space. The wearable, which works with the Alexa assistant on a connected smartphone, was only available to buy via invitation. However, in 2020, Amazon announced a second-generation model that was not only an improvement over its predecessor but was open to everyone to purchase.

Echo Frames aren't the only smart glasses to offer a variety of colors. For example, Ray-Ban Stories has a selection of five colors, glossy black, blue, brown, olive and matte black. Unfortunately, most wearable companies only offer a small variety of colors that include blacks and blues. While Snapchat's Snap Spectacles 3 only comes in two colors, one of them is a muted rose gold, making it different than other selections.

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Initially available in Classic Black, Horizon Blue and Modern Tortoise, Amazon is adding two new colors to bring the options available to five and will also allow buyers to choose the type of lenses they want with the new frames. The Echo Frames will be available in Quartz Grey and Pacific Blue starting November 10. Amazon calls them "modern colors."  They are already listed online with the option to choose from among blue light filtering lenses, polarized sunglass lenses, black sunglass lenses or prescription-ready frames. In addition to the new styles, the Echo Frames will receive an update that brings new features.

The Echo Frames Get Smarter

Echo_Frames_New_Colors

The Echo Frames is mainly operated via voice using the Alexa assistant. In addition to this is a touchpad on the temple that provides various control functions. Among the new features that will be rolling out is "Top Contact." It allows the user to quickly make a phone call to their top VIP contact without using an Alexa voice command or the connected phone. The feature works by long-pressing the touchpad on the frames. Amazon has also added Sleep Mode, which will put the Echo Frames in a low-power mode when placed upside down on a surface. The smart glasses will automatically turn on when placed on the face. The Auto Volume feature was updated to dynamically adjust the volume throughout a media session rather than at the start. The option to change the wake word from 'Alexa' to 'Echo' has been added to the update. Amazon has also announced that the ability to send SMS messages hands-free will arrive in the coming months for Android, and for the first time, for iOS users too.

Amazon is already one of the big players in the smart glasses space, and by updating the Echo Frames with new features, shows its commitment to the product line. It is expected that more features will be added before the release of a third-generation model of the smart glasses.

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Source: Amazon