Challenging Meta's walled garden, HTC's return to consumer wearables features a device that lets users choose their AI assistant, signaling a shift in the hardware wars.
TAIPEI - In a strategic pivot designed to challenge Meta's dominance in the burgeoning wearables market, HTC Corporation has officially entered the smart glasses arena with the launch of the VIVE Eagle. Unveiled initially in Taiwan and recently expanding into Hong Kong, the device represents HTC's most significant consumer hardware push in years. Unlike its competitors, HTC is betting on an "open platform" strategy, allowing users to select their preferred artificial intelligence engine-including Google's Gemini and OpenAI's ChatGPT-rather than locking them into a single ecosystem.
The launch comes as the smart glasses sector experiences explosive growth, with shipments surging 210% year-over-year in 2024. By offering a device that integrates seamlessly with multiple AI models, HTC is attempting to carve out a niche for users wary of Big Tech's data silos. The VIVE Eagle, priced at approximately $520 USD (HK$3,988), signals a potential revival for the company that once pioneered the Android smartphone but has since focused largely on virtual reality enterprise solutions.
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The VIVE Eagle is powered by the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 SoC, a chipset specifically designed for lightweight smart glasses. Weighing in at just 49 grams, the device adopts a "display-less" design philosophy, similar to the Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Instead of projecting holographic images onto the lens, the glasses focus on voice-activated assistance, audio, and media capture.
According to product specifications released by HTC, the glasses feature a 12MP ultrawide camera capable of smart photography and videography. The audio experience is delivered through an open-ear design, intended to keep users connected to their surroundings while interacting with AI assistants. A key feature emphasized during the launch is photo-based translation, allowing travelers to translate text in the real world instantly.
The defining characteristic of the VIVE Eagle is its software architecture. While Meta's smart glasses are inextricably linked to Meta AI and its suite of social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), HTC allows for a modular AI experience. Executives indicate that the dedicated VIVE app enables users to toggle between different large language models (LLMs) based on their needs.
"HTC is betting its open platform strategy will allow it to build market share in the fast-growing smartglasses industry, as its newly launched AI-powered eyewear lets wearers choose which AI model they want to use." - Reuters
The timing of HTC's entry is critical. The market has been validated by the unexpected success of the Ray-Ban Meta collaboration, which normalized the idea of camera-equipped eyewear. However, this normalization has brought renewed scrutiny regarding privacy. While the VIVE Eagle includes LED indicators to signal when the camera is recording, the "display-less" nature of the device means it looks remarkably like standard eyewear, raising concerns among privacy advocates about surreptitious recording.
Reactions from the tech community have been mixed. On platforms like Reddit, some enthusiasts argue that moving away from heads-up displays (HUDs) feels like "going backwards," labeling the device as mere "audio glasses with a camera." Conversely, industry analysts see the removal of the display as a necessary trade-off to achieve a form factor that consumers will actually wear all day.
HTC's move has broader implications for the hardware-software relationship in the AI era. By decoupling the hardware from a specific AI provider, HTC is positioning itself as a neutral hardware vessel. This approach could appeal to enterprise clients and privacy-conscious consumers who prefer not to feed data into Meta's advertising engine.
Furthermore, the partnership with Qualcomm (using the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1) highlights the growing ecosystem of non-proprietary silicon enabling third-party manufacturers to compete with vertically integrated giants like Apple and Google.
Currently, the VIVE Eagle is available in select Asian markets, including Taiwan and Hong Kong. While HTC has not confirmed a specific date for a wider international release, the "open" nature of the product suggests a global ambition. If successful, the VIVE Eagle could pressure other manufacturers to open their walled gardens, potentially leading to a future where switching AI assistants on your glasses is as easy as changing an app on your phone.
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