Are we on the cusp of a smart glasses revolution? As much as we'd like to think that a world where we all wear computers on our faces is just around the corner, no one wants to put something that actually looks like a computer in front of them Amazon has addressed just that concern with its new Echo frame

The Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen) take the Alexa-powered glasses up a notch in style with slimmer temples and a collection of new colors and frame styles to make them more approachable These frames have upgraded connectivity, audio performance, and battery life over the Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Gen)

Starting at $269, the newest Echo Frames are still not the most affordable way to access Amazon's voice assistant, but you can use Alexa wherever you go Whether it truly delivers the promised convenience remains to be seen in an in-depth review, but until then, we'll have a hands-on (head-on, that is) look at the Amazon Echo Frames (3rd generation) at Amazon Devices and Services Event 2023

There is no official release date for the Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen) yet Amazon states that the glasses are "coming soon," and checking the product page gives no hints as to availability Nevertheless, one can register their email address if they wish to be notified when the product is released

The new Echo Frames start at $26999, but there are several premiums depending on lens and frame style For example, the basic sunglasses model is $32999 There are also two sunglass styles designed in partnership with Carrera There are also two sunglass styles designed in partnership with Carrera

Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen) look like, well, glasses And they come in a variety of styles for the first time, including rectangular, square, round, and cat-eye There are also several color options, including Blue Tortoise and Brown

Amazon has slimmed down the arms on this generation model to make it less suspicious While the previous Echo Frames looked unmistakably like smart glasses, this new style looks much more natural The fit was also natural The weight was well balanced and they were comfortable while wearing them for several minutes

Underneath the left side of the frame is a volume rocker for adjusting the music volume, and underneath the right side are two control buttons

First and foremost, the Amazon Echo frame (3rd generation) has immediate access to Alexa The assistant can be used to control music playback, answer phone calls, and more In addition, Alexa can now filter notifications so that you are only notified of important messages without having to take out your phone Some Alexa features require the cell phone to be kept close at hand

Like previous models, the Amazon Echo Frames (3rd generation) allow users to listen to music discreetly thanks to a speaker built into the frame Sound quality is one area where Amazon could definitely improve, and while it is hard to say for sure from the noisy demo area, the new custom-made speaker drivers seemed to provide stronger bass Nevertheless, a colleague nearby could hear the bridge of Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer" playing from the Frames I was wearing

New features include the Amazon Echo Frames (3rd generation), which now supports multiple pairs and can connect to multiple devices simultaneously The use case the company offers is being able to switch from video calls on a laptop to music on a smartphone without having to fiddle with connection settings

These Frames also have a neat location detection feature: if you misplace your Frames, you can ask Alexa on another device to "find your smart glasses" and it will tell you where they were last seen I imagine this upgrade would come in handy since I am always losing my sunglasses

The previous pair of Amazon Echo Frames lasted 4 hours of continuous music playback at 80% volume The new Echo Frames last up to 6 hours It should be noted, however, that battery life varies and will last longer in standby mode if you are not actively listening to music or talking to Alexa

Amazon did not show a case or charger, but a representative said the new Echo Frames are capable of wireless charging through the frame This press photo shows the charging base with a bridge structure, which hopefully is an improvement over the previous magnetic charging cord

We didn't expect to see Amazon's Smart Glass again, but it's finally here Those who were previously not attracted to wearing Alexa on their face may be convinced by the new look and upgrades