Amazon Echo Frames: Hands-Free Alexa Glasses with VIP Filter for Custom Notifications
Table of Contents
- Introducing Amazon's Echo Frames: Alexa-Enabled Smart Glasses
- Configuring Echo Frames' VIP Filter for Custom Notifications
- Using Echo Frames' Touch Controls and Interacting with Alexa
- VIP Filter in Action: Customized Notifications
- Conclusion and Key Benefits
Introducing Amazon's Echo Frames: Alexa-Enabled Smart Glasses
Amazon's Echo Frames are innovative Alexa-enabled smart glasses that allow you to take the Alexa voice assistant with you wherever you go. With open-ear audio technology, the Echo Frames direct sound to your ears without blocking ambient noise, so you can stay aware of your surroundings.
A major benefit of the Echo Frames is hands-free access to Alexa for helpful voice commands and queries. On-frame controls like the touchpad and buttons allow you to manage notifications and activate Alexa discreetly.
The Echo Frames have a subtle, fashionable design suitable for everyday wear. With the proper prescription lenses inserted, they can function as regular glasses while providing smart audio connectivity.
Open-Ear Audio Technology for Ambient Awareness
A standout feature of the Echo Frames is the directional open-ear audio. Mini speakers built into the frames use vibrations to beam audio directly into the wearer's ears. This leaves the ear canal open, allowing outside sounds to still be heard naturally. You can listen to Alexa's responses and audiobooks without losing situational awareness. The open-ear design helps you blend real and digital worlds, promoting safety and social connection. Audio volume auto-adjusts based on ambient noise levels.
Hands-Free Alexa Activation with On-Frame Controls
For convenient access to Alexa that doesn't distract from tasks and conversations, the Echo Frames have an Action Button and mics for hands-free activation. After pressing the button or saying a wake word, Alexa lights up, ready to assist. Play/pause music, set reminders, control smart home devices, get news updates hands-free and more by using natural voice commands with Alexa. Touchpad taps and swipes also enable quick actions.
Discreet, Fashionable Design
Weighing just 31 grams, the Echo Frames have a slender profile for a stylish look. With various color choices, they resemble regular glasses and don’t appear obviously tech-laden. Interchangeable front lenses let you swap in prescription options. By integrating technology discreetly, the Echo Frames aim for tech accessibility without aesthetic sacrifice or social disruption.
Configuring Echo Frames' VIP Filter for Custom Notifications
A useful exclusive feature of the Echo Frames is VIP Filter, which lets you customize notifications received from selected contacts and apps. This reduces distraction, allowing you to focus amidst busy days.
We’ll explore how VIP Filter enables you to cherry-pick only the most important alerts for priority status. Setup is quick during initial pairing, and later preferences automatically apply in real-time.
Setup Walkthrough to Enable VIP Filter
When first linking Echo Frames in the Alexa app, you will enter the setup flow containing VIP Filter configuration. This involves enabling the overall feature, then selecting initial contacts and optionally apps to populate your VIP list with. If you happened to skip this stage, you can navigate to VIP Filter settings later through the app’s Echo Frames options. Setup only takes moments, then personalized alerts get rolling!
Selecting Initial Contacts and Apps for VIP Status
You’ll begin by granting VIP status to important contacts in your phone book you always want to hear from. As real-time notifications come in subsequently from non-VIP sources, Alexa allows them by default at first. For apps not used yet for alerts at setup, you can search your phone's apps to proactively add selections to your VIP list, ensuring you'll always hear their future notifications.
Real-Time VIP List Updates Based on User Preferences
After setup, your VIP Filter evolves dynamically with use. When a non-VIP app or contact triggers a notification to your Echo Frames, Alexa will ask if you want to allow future alerts. A simple swipe gesture tells Alexa to add the source to your VIP list going forward. This real-time feedback continuously personalizes notifications received.
Using Echo Frames' Touch Controls and Interacting with Alexa
On the right temple of Echo Frames sits a touchpad for managing notifications with finger swipes. Volume buttons allow audio adjustment, while the Action Button enables Alexa activation along with power toggling.
With an onboard mic array, Alexa also wakes hands-free when you say her name. Let’s explore using these intuitive controls to optimize your experience.
Touchpad Swipes and Taps for Notification Actions
The Echo Frames touchpad facilitates easy triage of incoming notifications through subtle finger gestures. Swiping forwards or backwards cycles alerts, with a tap letting you hear the current one in full. You can even tap again to stop reading if desired. Double tap while Alexa reads an alert to call or message that contact back through your phone. The touchpad makes notifications frictionless to handle.
Volume Rocker and Action Button Hardware
A volume rocker along the bottom edge of Echo Frames lets you seamlessly adjust audio loudness with intuitive up/down presses. This helps you optimize Alexa and media volume for your situational needs. The front-facing Action Button serves multiple functions as well. A single press invokes Alexa to start listening. Double press toggles power on/off. Long press during an interaction makes Alexa forget what was just said for privacy.
Activating Alexa by Voice or Action Button
Alexa supports hands-free access on demand through the Echo Frames’ mics and wake word. For privacy, Alexa only responds to the wearer’s voice profile. Just say “Alexa” then issue commands or queries. You can also discretely engage Alexa by briefly pressing the Action Button instead of a verbal cue. Either method works interchangeably depending on your preferences and context!
VIP Filter in Action: Customized Notifications
Now let’s see Alexa’s exclusive VIP Filter for Echo Frames in action! Based on initial configuration and evolving real-time inputs, VIP Filter strategically surfaces only notifications you want to hear.
We’ll explore how it smartly handles both VIP and non-VIP sources, with easy adjustment. This technology helps Echo Frames enhance — rather than distract from — real-world engagement.
Hearing Only VIP Contact and App Alerts
Thanks to setup choices and taps during notifications, VIP Filter already knows to let all alerts through from VIP contacts and apps. When one arrives, Alexa simply reads the notification aloud, allowing you to react accordingly. For example, hearing texts or calls from family members lets you stay connected without constantly checking your phone. Important apps also directly reach you for timely coordination.
Subtle Tones Option for Non-VIP Notifications
For non-VIP sources, Alexa defaults to muted alerts, stopping excessive disturbances. But you can alternatively enable a more discreet subtle tone sound instead so you’re still loosely aware of other notifications. It's brief and generic — Alexa doesn’t read details. This middle ground between fully silencing and hearing everything lets you filter judiciously rather than absolutely.
Easy Management of VIP Status
When notifications first come in from previously unknown contacts/apps, Alexa asks if you want to hear from them going forward. Swipe on the touchpad to add them to your VIP list. You can always adjust VIP settings later through the Alexa app as well. Alexa may also periodically reconfirm contacts and apps you haven’t interacted with in awhile still warrant VIP status.
Conclusion and Key Benefits
With open-ear audio, fashionable design, handy controls, and proactive assistant features like VIP Filter, Amazon's Echo Frames make an appealing everyday smart wearable.
They grant you Alexa's convenience hands-free in a subtle format customized to your priorities. This novel but sensible approach reduces tech-imposed distraction without sacrificing connectivity.
FAQ
Q: What are the core features of Amazon's Echo Frames?
A: The Echo Frames offer hands-free access to Alexa in a pair of glasses via open-ear audio technology. Key features include VIP filtering for notifications, touch controls, and voice activation.
Q: How does the VIP filter work on the Echo Frames?
A: The VIP filter allows you to select specific contacts and apps to receive notifications from. When non-VIP notifications come in, you can choose to add them to your VIP list or just hear a subtle tone.
Q: Can the Echo Frames respond to users other than the wearer?
A: No, the Echo Frames use directional speakers and a beamforming microphone array designed to only pick up and respond to the voice of the person wearing the glasses.
Q: Do the Echo Frames have a camera?
A: No, the Echo Frames do not have a camera. They are solely focused on delivering Alexa's voice assistant capabilities in a hands-free manner.
Q: How is privacy handled on the Echo Frames?
A: The Echo Frames have multiple privacy features including only responding to the wearer's voice, a button to turn off the mics, and allowing full control over what notifications are received.
Q: Can the Echo Frames make phone calls?
A: Yes, by connecting to your smartphone, the Echo Frames allow you to make hands-free phone calls using your phone's cell service and contacts.
Q: Do the Echo Frames work with prescription lenses?
A: The current Echo Frames do not support prescription lenses, but you can wear most prescription glasses underneath them.
Q: What smartphone OS do you need to pair with Echo Frames?
A: The Echo Frames will work with smartphones running iOS 12.0 or higher or Android 8.0 or higher.
Q: How long does the battery last on the Echo Frames?
A: Amazon claims up to 4 hours of continuous Alexa use or up to 14 hours of standby time before needing to recharge in the case.
Q: Can Echo Frames stream music?
A: Yes, through a connection to your phone, the Echo Frames allow you to stream music and podcasts from various services.