Sunglasses or earphones? With Bose Frames the answer is both – these shades come with built-in stereo speakers

The frames come in two styles, have very good build quality and do not feel heavy when being worn

They perform well in a quiet place, but if the volume is turned up to full they will annoy the people around you – the sound leakage is significant

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The Bose Frames are a pair of sunglasses fitted with “bone conduction” earphones. They work well in quiet areas, but unless you live somewhere permanently sunny, they won’t replace the earphones you carry around now. Photo: Bose

Published: 8:00pm, 20 Mar 2020Updated: 8:05pm, 20 Mar 2020

How do you choose your sunglasses? Do you go for oval, semi-rimless or wayfarer? Or maybe you are a fan of the teardrop-shaped aviator style? Prepare to relegate thoughts of style and instead focus on how your sunglasses sound. Cue the Bose Frames (US$199.95), which come in two styles; their key feature is built-in stereo speakers.

Smart glasses? Yes, in a way, but do not confuse them with Google Glass. In essence they are much more like the AfterShokz Aeropex, wireless headband-style “bone conduction” earphones that have their speakers on the outside, thus staying completely clear of ear canals.

Although technically very different, on the Bose Frames the effect is much the same; this is “open-ear audio”, so sound is channelled to your ears without being isolated by earbuds.

The user can stream music, radio, podcasts and audiobooks from any smartphone, and the Bose Frames also add a microphone for hands-free calls. Is it time to replace your sunglasses and go smart?

The Bose Frames smart glasses (shown here in the Alto style) use “bone conduction” earphones that have their speakers on the outside. Photo: Bose

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