Pack it
Topping the list of all-time coolest sunglasses have to be Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible 2 shades. They had killer looks, were delivered by shoulder-mounted rocket launcher, played details of his next mission through a discreet earpiece then exploded in a slow-motion ball of flame (after being discarded).
Oakley made those shades and it seems they were unwilling to let them be merely the stuff of Hollywood special effects because the company has joined electronics giant Motorola to produce the RAZRWire line of sunglasses. RAZRWires feature a small Bluetooth transceiver attached to the frame that works as an earpiece and microphone for any Bluetooth-equipped mobile phone, PDA or computer. Which means these shades have the sort of hardware hardcore geeks crave - with enough style for Cruise.
RAZRWire frames are available in three colours and are made of O-Luminum, a tough alloy Oakley claims is 40 per cent lighter than titanium. A pair, Bluetooth unit and all, weighs in at a reasonable 20 grams and the batteries provide six hours of talk time. The RAZRWire has a range of almost 10 metres, so you can leave your phone below deck or in your backpack and still make calls while sailing or hiking. The signal is relayed from the phone to the shades, whose Bluetooth attachment transmits and receives.
If you frequently lose your sunglasses, US$250 for a pair of RAZRWires may not seem a wise investment. But for the outdoor types Oakley is targeting, these shades may be just the ticket. A transceiver attached to your sunglasses should be far more secure than one that fits into your ear; try wearing a regular Bluetooth earpiece while mountain-biking and you are likely to see it go skittering down the trail without you at the first hefty bump.
You won't find Oakley's RAZRWire sunglasses in your local shop yet; they are expected to hit the market some time this summer. For more information about stockists, contact distributors Frontside, 8/F, Sands Building, 17 Hankow Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2792 0353.
