The Even Realities G1 are unlike any other smart glasses you’ve seen

Main points of ZDNET

• Even Realities G1 smart glasses are equipped with an excellent microLED optical engine projector for display.
• These glasses can help you navigate, translate and serve as a teleprompter.
• The G1 is expensive at $599, and the cost increases further if you opt for prescription lenses.

I’ve already had Even Realities G1 Smart Glasses It’s been months. While I haven’t been able to wear them every day in a row, I’ve worn them for about 30 days. My friends say these are very stylish and “don’t look like a gadget,” which is their biggest win.

So far, we’ve seen several versions of smart glasses, including camera-enabled ones AI Yuan Ray-Ban glasses, Bose glasses speakers, TCL RayNeo AR glasses, but Even Realities G1 are neither. They have monitors and microphones, but no speakers or cameras. The G1 is a smart blend of a minimalist feature set that feels just right, where technology takes a back seat and lifestyle comes front.

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The Even Realities G1 smart glasses need a little more polish, but from what I’ve experienced over the past few months, they’re getting better with every upgrade. You might not want to spend $600 on a pair of smart glasses, but they’re very tempting.

The future is here

The Even Realities G1 features Holistic Adaptive Optics System (HAOS), which is a fancy phrasing for two tiny displays. As shown in the title image, compared to the image above, the two rectangles on the two lenses responsible for displaying the message can only be seen at a certain angle. These are usually invisible to others.

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When you tilt your head upward, the Micro-LED optical engine projector displays green digital text with a resolution of 640 x 200 pixels. The resolution may not sound impressive to a brain obsessed with smartphone spec sheets, but this is a great display. It’s clearly visible in daylight and you can easily make out details.

You can adjust the angle of the swipe feature within the app. For example, I set it to 20 degrees, so every time the glasses detect that my head is tilted 20 degrees, they show the screen. The dashboard displays time, notes, notification counts, and more. This might seem like it would interfere with real-life vision, but it doesn’t, because you’re consciously triggering the display, rather than it ever being there.

Even though Reality has bonded two lenses to create digital lenses, the lenses are no heavier than my regular glasses. Unlike other bulky smart glasses, the G1 are very comfortable. I love my Meta Ray-Ban sunglasses, but even they are heavier than my regular sunglasses. However, I did not experience any nose pad fatigue during my review. Weight distribution is more toward the arms than the frame. As a result, the G1 is very comfortable. You can also buy prescription lenses (for an additional $150) and use them as regular glasses like I did.

The rest of the hardware includes the battery, gesture pad, screwless hinge, microphone, and antenna for interacting with phone apps via Bluetooth. Originally launched with a round design, they later added another option – the Even G1 B – with a rectangular frame. The frame has a matte finish and is made from solid magnesium, while the temples are silicone-coated for better grip.

They come in a case that looks like a regular eyeglass case and can be charged up to 2.5 times. However, this seems nitpicky to me. More than once I found that the glasses were not charged to 100%, even though the charging case had only charged them once before.

Even Realities G1 smart glasses features

Even Realities G1 has six main features. Here’s how they performed and how I hope they improve.

1. Notification

When connected to a phone (almost always), the G1 displays a notification count on the dashboard. You can access these notifications by raising your head to view them temporarily, or by using gestures on the trackpad if you want to view them later.

It’s a neat trick, but it’s missing two things. You cannot reply to notifications. I hope Even AI can help me reply by dictating messages. Secondly, notifications need to be cleared manually. Even if you view them on your phone, they won’t be cleared, which creates friction in the user experience.

2. Translation

This feature is very convenient when you are traveling to a place where the language is not spoken. I tested it with my limited French and Spanish and it was accurate. You can select one of 13 supported languages, and the glasses will display a translation on the screen when someone speaks in that language.

However, this characterization is one-sided. You can translate what the other person is saying, but you can’t have a conversation unless they also have a translation device. One potential solution could include the glasses translating their language, while your smartphone translates your language into theirs.

3. Quick Notepad

I really like using QuickNote on the G1 to add reminders. When you press and hold the right trackpad, the glasses display Quick Note Taking. I use it to jot down tasks and thoughts throughout the day.

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Currently, comments appear on the dashboard the next time you view them. I would like to be able to select annotations displayed on the dashboard through the application. Sometimes, I jot down ideas for later, and other times, I need a reminder to complete a task before the end of the day.

4. Navigation

If you love cycling, you’ll love this. G1 can display turn-by-turn directions without having to check your phone. It’s less distracting because the navigation is always present and not triggered by a glance. Great for walking and cycling. What’s the gain? You need to set the destination through the Even Realities app.

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I would prefer integration with Google or Apple Maps and the ability to require glasses for navigation. This seems to be possible with the built-in microphone.

5. Teleprompter

The G1 can also be used as a presentation teleprompter. Your audience won’t notice you’re reading on the screen. Just add the script to the app and it will appear on the projector screen, instantly bolding the words. This is one of the most exquisite features.

6. Even artificial intelligence

Powered by Perplexity, Even AI can perform simple tasks such as calculations and unit conversions. However, it needs to be faster. I’d rather use my smartphone than wait for the query to complete. This feature is still in beta.

ZDNET buying advice

Like all other first-generation products, the Even Realities G1 suffers from the difficulty of using it. The glasses cost $599which requires an additional fee for prescription lenses ($150) or clips that double as sunglasses ($100). Additionally, most features require further refinement.

The Even Realities G1 hardware is excellent and the glasses can easily last a full day. I charge them every night before going to bed. They will only improve over time with each update. I see the vision and if Even Realities continues to refine the feature set, I’ll be on board. Features such as dashboard customization, Google Maps integration and voice-activated navigation will make the G1 even better.

These are promising smart glasses I don’t want to let go.