Ex-Apple exec launches AI-powered specs

Details: Frame, as the glasses are dubbed, come from Brilliant Labs, a startup led by former Apple program lead Bobak Tavangar.

• Brilliant also has backing from Niantic CEO John Hanke, as part of the $6 million in funding it has raised.

The central feature of the audio-enabled glasses is a multimodal generative AI voice assistant dubbed Noa.

• Frame will also feature the ability to query the AI-powered search engine Perplexity.
• The $349 glasses will be available for order today and begin shipping in April.

Flashback: Frame is the second product from Brilliant Labs, which previously launched an AR wearable called Monocle.

Our thought bubble: Hardware startups often struggle and the AI device field is still figuring out what features people want in a rapidly evolving market.

• That gives an edge to companies with the deep pockets to invest in multiple versions of hardware, even if early releases aren't total hits.
• Meta, for example, is on the second version of its smart glasses collaboration with Ray-Ban, and that product has a similar feature set to Frame.

Yes, but: Startups often bring fresh approaches and features. Brilliant Labs, for example, is pledging that Noa will learn about its user over time but also preserve privacy.