Like with those models, you control the volume by sliding your finger forward and backward on the right temple and there's a new volume-optimized EQ that Bose says reduces distortion at higher volumes while adding texture to your music at lower volumes. In general, the Bose Frames have a narrow, and rather quiet, volume range where sound could be described as good. The second positive perk of these sound capable shade is that you don’t lose engagement with the surrounding environment when they’re worn.

As noted, the Frames are the first commercial product built to work with Bose's new audio augmented-reality platform. But between the two of them, the Bose Frames really demonstrate that augmented reality can go beyond vision, and we hope to see more apps take advantage of this.

The concept is you're getting a decent pair of sunglasses with a pair of headphones that don't actually go in your ears. The lenses are also interchangeable and can easily be popped out for a different color, although choices are currently limited to a mirrored silver for the Alto and a rose gold set for the Rondo. View image in fullscreen The sound is piped to your ears through the speaker grille at the end of the thick bit of the arms. The more rounded Rondo style is designed for smaller heads, while the more squarish Alto is suited for those with larger heads.

While they don't offer a high degree of water resistance -- they're IPX2 certified -- Bose reps told me I'd be OK to run with them. They're a little harder to use in noisy environments because your ears are open to the world, but I could mostly hear people well and they said they could hear me clearly with little background noise leaking in. The best of the bunch are some 3D audio experiences, a golf app that can tell you where the hole is and some walking directions.The only real omission here is volume, which is a key miss and one we’re hoping Bose will add via touch controls in the next iteration. Kept to 50% or lower those next to you can’t hear your music, but because your ears are open you can hear the world around you.

they're not far off -- they sound better than any audio sunglasses I've tried previously, with just enough bass to avoid sounding tinny. While she's happiest with a camera in her hand, she's also an avid reader and has become a passionate proponent of ereaders, having appeared on Singaporean radio to talk about the convenience of these underrated devices. This could also be why the Frames are so incredibly light though, with both styles weighing around 45g. The first, there’s an undeniable sense of freedom to enjoy thanks to not having anything plugged into your ear canal or clamped over them.To trigger the voice assistant, press and hold the multi-function button to access Siri on an iOS device or the Google Assistant on an Android device.

Since there are no volume controls on the sunglasses, you'll have to use the controls on your device to adjust volume levels. You don’t feel as though you’re wearing headphone tech, but rather that you’re listening to music from a very nearby source that doesn’t change in intensity as you move around. If you’re looking for a unique and exciting new way to get your tunes, and you love to get out in the sun, Bose’s Frames are definitely worth considering.

But the fact that’s even worth mentioning is testament to how not like other smart glasses the Frames are. Not only do you have extraordinary levels of freedom to look forward to when listening to music and audio content, you can also enjoy phone communications where your own voice is clearly audible and conversations are altogether more pleasant. This means you’re able to keep your ears and head free of anything but your pair of sunglasses, while still being able to listen to music, podcasts or audiobooks. The midrange response is full and blooming full of body, and the spatial separation between left and right channels is eerily wide. The Bose Connect app is free on both Android and iOS platforms and contains settings for the Frames such as adjusting the standby timer, turning voice prompts on or off, and updating the firmware.