Smart eyewear has always been a fascination of mine – at least since I heard about the Google glass a little while back. The idea that your glasses can become more is both exciting and futuristic – but how practical are they? And are we at a stage where they’re feasible for everyone?
Despite my enthusiasm for smart glasses, I have this belief that we’re not quite there yet when it comes to a fully functional product. I do keep an eye out for what might be the next ‘thing’, but there just seems to be a gap in the market for smart eyewear becoming popular. But are we getting closer?
I came across Focals by North not too long ago – and decided to give them a shot. The branding was aesthetically pleasing and the product looked rather innovative – and stylish (unlike the Google glass). Looking at the frames, the front resembles a typical style you would pick out at a glasses shop (without looking too much like smart glasses), however they do have a noticeable side profile – which houses the laser projector, processor and battery. After reading through a few reviews online, I saw that the Focals were making some headway in this niche industry. This caught my attention, since they looked promising. Fast forward a few weeks; here I am writing a review about North Focals.
Focals by North
Focals are glasses that give you instant access to the people you care about and the information you need so you can have peace of mind, wherever you go.
Getting my focals was a multi-step process that ultimately customized the final product to my specific fit and needs. I don’t wear prescription glasses, but that’s also an option for further practicality. Every pair also comes with a clip on sunglasses attachment – so they’re good for the sun as well, if you were wondering.
The process involves a first appointment where you go into their retail location and sit down with a Focals expert. It’s a fun experience actually, since you can grab an espresso and hang out as they measure your head’s dimensions, customize your Focals’ frames and go through the other customization options. You’ll also be demo’d with an existing pair, showcasing the device’s capabilities. You’ll have a ‘loop’ ring to wear, which works as the controller for your Focals. It’s a fun experience, since it does feel futuristic and unique, but you’ll have to wait a few weeks before you can actually walk out wearing them.
When I was informed that my Focals were ready (about 5 weeks later), I made my way down to pick them up. It was a hassle free experience where I tried them on to ensure there were no discrepancies in the fit. After configuring them further – and connecting them to the corresponding app, I was on my way with my Focals. They’re really neat because they also have a built in Alexa, so you can essentially talk to your glasses (what a time to be live, right?)
I found that they did serve their purpose – and were actually really good at being ‘smart’ glasses (think smart watch in your glasses). They provide seamless convenience wherever you are and only allow the wearer to see the AR display, however they do need to be charged every night and the texts on iOS are received from another number. Furthermore, I would sometimes have issues with the app (you have to update it constantly, along with constant updates for the actual device, to ensure they’re using the same version), but otherwise they get the job done. Candidly speaking, I think a few more features can be embedded into the product, but they don’t fall short of my expectations. Having the ability to send text messages through them, as well as look up directions was fairly sufficient for my daily usage, so I can’t complain really.
Overall, I think the Focals set a good example for what can be the future of smart eyewear. As with anything, there are changes and improvements that can be made down the road, but as a standalone product, they’re a lot of fun and fairly practical. They’re not too bulky – plus at first glance, they look like a regular pair of glasses, which is a bonus. I really enjoy them for what they are as of now, and will look forward to seeing what improvements come about in the future.
All opinions shared in this review are mine. This is not a sponsored post, however I did receive the Focals as a gift, and chose to review them by choice. Thanks for reading!
