Amazon is working on Alexa-enabled 'smart glasses' to take on Siri and Google Assistant.
The new device is said to appear like a regular pair of specs with hidden high tech features, The glasses will pair with your smartphone to let you speak to and hear Alexa
Sounds are sent directly to your auditory system without the need for earpieces
Google Glass founder Babak Parviz is said to be directing Amazon's efforts
Amazon is reportedly working on a wearable device that will allow users to access its Alexa voice assistant on the move.
The smart glasses will appear to be a regular pair of specs, with high tech additions discretely built in, according to a new report.
If they prove popular, they could allow the shopping firm to take on rivals Siri and Google Assistant, which are already both available in mobile voice activated form.
Amazon is reportedly working on a wearable device that will allow users to access its Alexa voice assistant on the move. The smart glasses will appear to be a regular pair of specs, with high tech additions discretely built in, according to a new report (artist's impression) +4
Amazon is reportedly working on a wearable device that will allow users to access its Alexa voice assistant on the move. The smart glasses will appear to be a regular pair of specs, with high tech additions discretely built in, according to a new report (artist's impression)
This is not the first time in recent days that Amazon's plans to make Alexa more mobile have been revealed.
On Tuesday, the firm unveiled a new tablet that allows users to summon the virtual assistant with just their voice for the first time.
Until now, the AI powered assistant could only be summoned on Amazon tablets and other mobile devices when a wake button was pressed or the Alexa app launched.
The hands-free version of the assistant has been included in the new Fire HD 10, Amazon's latest tablet, which will go on sale on October 11 for £150 ($150).
Reports of the development of the device were first made in an article on the Financial Times.
The yet unnamed project will see the glasses to pair with your smartphone, presumably via Bluetooth.
This will allow you to both hear and speak to the Alexa voice assistant.
The smart glasses are going to use a type of headphone that can send sounds directly to your auditory system without the need for earpieces, according to sources familiar with the matter.
These bone-conduction audio systems transmit vibrations through the bones of your inner ear straight to your cochlea, where they are sent down the auditory nerve and to your brain.
Babak Parviz the founder of Google's ill-fated Glass, the first major attempt to popularise smart glasses, is rumoured to be directing Amazon's efforts..
Their device is unlikely to replicate the heads up display of the Google Glass and its onboard camera, however. While this might seem to limit the smart glasses potential, it may in fact avoid the pitfalls of the Google predecessor.
By not including these additions, this could dramatically improve battery life and make the device's primary function.
This is not the first time in recent days that Amazon's plans to make Alexa more mobile have been revealed. On Tuesday, the firm unveiled a new tablet that allows users to summon the virtual assistant with just their voice for the first time.
Until recently, the AI powered assistant could only be summoned when a wake button was pressed on devices like the Echo or the Alexa app was launched
On Tuesday, the firm unveiled a new tablet that allows users to summon the virtual assistant with just their voice for the first time. The new Fire HD 10, Amazon's latest tablet, will go on sale on October 11 for £150 ($150)
Babak Parviz the founder of Google's ill-fated Glass, the first major attempt to popularise smart glasses, is rumoured to be directing Amazon's efforts. In 2015, Google rolled out this secretive new version of Glass dubbed Enterprise Edition
Until now, the AI powered assistant could only be summoned on Amazon tablets and other mobile devices when a wake button was pressed or the Alexa app launched.
The hands-free version of the assistant has been included in the new Fire HD 10, Amazon's latest tablet, which will go on sale on October 11 for £150 ($150).
Kevin Keith from the firm's devices business said: 'For less than £150, the all-new Fire HD 10 offers a beautiful 1080p full HD display, plus faster performance, more storage, and up to 10 hours of battery life.
'We're also excited to introduce Alexa hands-free for the first time on a Fire tablet.
'Now, you can ask Alexa to control video playback, show you your calendar, dim the lights, and much more - all without lifting a finger.'