Bose Frames

Bose Frames
Basic Info
VR/AR	Audio AR
Type	Smart glasses
Subtype	Audio Glasses, Wearable Audio
Platform	iOS, Android
Creator	Bose
Developer	Bose Corporation
Manufacturer	Bose
Announcement Date	January 2019 (CES)
Release Date	January 2019
Price	$199.95 (launch), $249-$299 (sport/premium styles)
Website	https://www.bose.com/
Versions	Alto, Rondo, Soprano, Tenor, Tempo (sport)
Requires	iOS 9.0+ or Android 5.0+ smartphone
Predecessor	None
Successor	Bose Frames Tempo, Soprano, Tenor (2nd gen)
System
Operating System	iOS 9.0+, Android 5.0+
Chipset	Custom Bose audio
CPU	N/A
GPU	N/A
Storage
Storage	N/A
Memory	N/A
SD Card Slot	No
Display
Display	None
Subpixel Layout	N/A
Peak Brightness	N/A
Resolution	N/A
Pixel Density	N/A
Refresh Rate	N/A
Persistence	N/A
Image
Field of View	N/A (audio only)
Horizontal FoV	N/A
Vertical FoV	N/A
Average Pixel Density	N/A
Peak Pixel Density	N/A
Foveated Rendering	N/A
Optics
Optics	UVA/UVB blocking lenses
Ocularity	N/A
IPD Range	N/A
Adjustable Diopter	No (prescription-ready frames available)
Passthrough	N/A (optical see-through sunglasses)
Tracking
Tracking	9-axis head motion sensor
Tracking Frequency	N/A
Base Stations	N/A
Eye Tracking	No
Face Tracking	No
Hand Tracking	No
Body Tracking	No
Rotational Tracking	Yes (head orientation)
Positional Tracking	No (GPS from phone)
Update Rate	N/A
Tracking Volume	N/A
Play Space	N/A
Latency	Low latency audio
Audio
Audio	Miniaturized Bose speakers (open-ear)
Microphone	Yes (built-in)
3.5mm Audio Jack	No
Camera	No
Connectivity
Connectivity	Bluetooth
Ports	Pogo-pin charging
Wired Video	No
Wireless Video	No
WiFi	No
Bluetooth	Bluetooth (30ft/9m range)
Power	Lithium battery
Battery Capacity	Not specified
Battery Life	3.5 hours playback, 12 hours standby
Charge Time	<2 hours
Device
Dimensions	53mm lens (S/M), 20mm bridge, 135mm temple
Weight	45g
Material	Nylon frame, gold-plated steel hinges
Headstrap	None (temples)
Haptics	No
Color	Matte Black
Sensors	9-axis head motion sensor, GPS (via phone)
Input	Touch controls (temple), voice assistant
Compliance	FCC, CE

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The Bose Frames are audio-focused smart glasses developed by Bose Corporation, announced at CES 2019 and released in January 2019 at $199.95. As Bose's first wearable product combining premium audio with eyewear, the Frames pioneered the "audio sunglasses" category by embedding miniaturized Bose speakers in the temples that produce rich, immersive sound for the wearer while others hear practically nothing—creating an open-ear audio experience that leaves users free to hear the world around them. The original collection launched with two styles: Alto (larger rectangular frames) and Rondo (smaller rounded frames), both featuring scratch and shatter-resistant lenses that block up to 99% of UVA/UVB rays. Key features include a built-in microphone for hands-free calls and voice assistant access, a 9-axis head motion sensor for Bose AR (an audio-only augmented reality platform that uses head orientation and phone GPS to deliver location-aware audio experiences), and approximately 3.5 hours of playback on a single charge. Weighing just 45 grams with gold-plated steel hinges and charging pins, Bose Frames established the foundation for the audio smart glasses category, later expanding with the Soprano (cat-eye), Tenor (rectangular), and Tempo (sport) models.

History and Development

Bose Wearable Entry

Company expansion:

Premium audio heritage
Wearable market entry
Audio AR innovation
Sunglasses form factor

CES 2019 Announcement

Product reveal:

Audio sunglasses concept
Bose AR platform
Two initial styles
$199.95 pricing

January 2019 Release

Market launch:

Alto and Rondo styles
Matte Black color
Premium positioning
Consumer availability

Product Line Expansion

Style evolution:

Soprano (cat-eye, 2020)
Tenor (rectangular, 2020)
Tempo (sport, 2020)
Multiple generations

Design Philosophy

Open-Ear Audio

Sound innovation:

No ear blocking
Environmental awareness
Personal listening
Public-friendly audio

Sunglasses First

Fashion priority:

Premium eyewear design
UV protection
Style-conscious
Daily wearable

Audio AR Vision

Platform concept:

Audio-only augmented reality
Location-aware sound
Head tracking
Spatial audio experiences

Premium Materials

Build quality:

45g lightweight
Gold-plated hinges
Scratch-resistant lenses
Fashion-grade finish

Audio Technology

Miniaturized Bose Speakers

Sound system:

Hidden in temples
Open-ear design
Rich, immersive sound
Personal listening

Privacy Design

Sound directionality:

Directed to wearer
Others hear practically nothing
Discreet listening
Public-friendly

Audio Quality

Bose sound:

Clear audio reproduction
Bass performance
Premium sound quality
Music and calls

Bose AR

Audio Augmented Reality

Platform innovation:

Audio-only AR
Sound-based information
No visual display
Innovative approach

Head Motion Sensor

Tracking capability:

Sensor: 9-axis IMU
Head orientation tracking
Direction awareness
Motion detection

GPS Integration

Location services:

Phone GPS access
Location awareness
Position tracking
Context-aware audio

Use Cases

AR applications:

Audio navigation
Location-based content
Contextual information
Experiential audio

Lens Technology

UV Protection

Eye safety:

99% UVA/UVB blocking
Protective lenses
Outdoor suitable
Sun protection

Lens Quality

Durability:

Scratch-resistant
Shatter-resistant
Uniformly tinted
Premium quality

Prescription Options

Vision correction:

Prescription-ready frames
Lens replacement
Optician compatible
Accessibility

Physical Design

Weight

Lightweight design:

Weight: 45 grams
Standard for sunglasses
All-day wearable
Comfortable

Styles

Original collection:

Alto (larger, angular)
Rondo (smaller, rounded)
S/M and M/L sizes
Universal appeal

Materials

Construction:

Nylon frames
Gold-plated steel hinges
Gold-plated charging pins
Premium finish

Dimensions (S/M)

Frame measurements:

Lens width: 53mm
Bridge width: 20mm
Temple length: 135mm

Microphone

Built-In Mic

Voice capability:

Hands-free calls
Voice assistant access
Communication
Voice commands

Voice Assistants

Integration:

Siri (iOS)
Google Assistant (Android)
Voice activation
Hands-free control

Battery

Battery Life

Power specifications:

Playback: 3.5 hours
Standby: 12 hours
Average listening levels
All-day standby

Charging

Power system:

Pogo-pin connector
Proprietary cable
<2 hours full charge
Magnetic attachment

Connectivity

Bluetooth

Wireless connection:

Bluetooth audio
Range: 30ft (9m)
Phone pairing
Standard connection

Compatibility

Device support:

iOS 9.0 or newer
Android 5.0 or newer
Smartphone required
App connectivity

Controls

Touch Controls

Temple interface:

Tap gestures
Swipe controls
Play/pause
Track navigation

Button Functions

Physical controls:

Power button
Pairing mode
Voice assistant
Call management

Product Line

Original (2019)

First generation:

Alto (angular)
Rondo (rounded)
$199.95

Second Generation (2020)

Style expansion:

Soprano (cat-eye)
Tenor (rectangular)
Improved audio

Tempo (2020)

Sport edition:

Athletic design
Sweat-resistant
Sport performance
$249-$299

Water Resistance

Limited Protection