HTC is expanding its Vive Eagle smart glasses beyond Taiwan, bringing the camera-equipped wearable to the United States, Canada, Europe, the UK and Australia. The launch gives buyers a new screen-free alternative to Meta’s smart glasses, with built-in AI assistants, livestreaming capabilities and privacy features aimed at easing concerns about wearable cameras.
Key takeaways
- US orders begin at $499, with immediate shipping.
- European and UK shipments start September 21 at €469 and £429.
- The glasses include a 12MP camera, Snapdragon AR1 platform, 32GB storage and 4GB RAM.
- Users can switch between OpenAI, Gemini and HTC’s Vive AI.
- Photochromic lenses raise the US price to $599.
HTC’s Vive Eagle is positioned as a direct competitor to Meta’s camera-equipped smart glasses. Unlike augmented-reality headsets, it has no display, keeping the design closer to conventional eyewear while relying on voice controls, open-ear speakers and a companion smartphone for much of the user experience.
Hardware and features
The glasses use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 platform, supported by 4GB of RAM and 32GB of encrypted storage. Their 12MP ultrawide camera can capture vertical 2K video, record clips of up to 10 minutes and support slow-motion recording for shorter periods. HTC also says users can livestream to platforms including YouTube and Twitch.
A 235mAh battery is rated for up to 36 hours of standby time. Instead of a charging case, HTC supplies a pogo-pin cable, while an optional magnetic battery accessory can recharge the glasses on the go. The electronics carry an IP54 rating for protection against limited dust and water exposure.
AI assistants without a display
Voice interaction is central to the Vive Eagle experience. Owners can choose between OpenAI and Google’s Gemini for different tasks, while HTC also provides its own Vive AI service. A physical side button can activate an assistant without requiring a wake word and can be reassigned through software.
The glasses use open-ear stereo speakers for assistant responses, music and podcasts. HTC includes two years of AI access with the purchase, after which subscription plans are expected to be available. The company says collected data will not be used to train its own models and that requests are anonymized to reduce profiling.
Privacy measures target camera concerns
Smart glasses have faced growing scrutiny over whether people nearby can tell when they are being recorded. Vive Eagle includes a recording notification LED, and HTC says it has taken steps to prevent the indicator from being disabled.
The glasses also will not record when they are not being worn. In addition, HTC says a bystander can ask the wearer to stop filming, triggering recording to end. These safeguards could help distinguish Vive Eagle from competitors, although their effectiveness will depend on how reliably users and bystanders understand the indicators and voice controls.
Pricing and availability
US pricing starts at $499 with clear or tinted lenses, matching the price of several Ray-Ban Meta models but exceeding Meta’s $299 self-branded smart-glasses options. Photochromic lenses increase the price to $599.
Vive Eagle is offered in square and rounded frame designs, with colors including black, coffee, berry, charcoal, brown and navy. Zeiss lenses are standard, and prescription lenses can be added. US orders are available now, while shipments in Europe and the UK are scheduled for September 21 at €469 and £429, respectively.
Via HTC VIVE