Chinese giant Alibaba enters the race for smart glasses with removable batteries

Alibaba said Quark AI glasses come in two variants, the flagship S1 and the “lifestyle-focused” G1, with multiple colors and lens types. Prices start at 3,799 yuan ($537) and 1,899 yuan ($268), respectively. The main difference is the lenses, with the S1 using clear micro-OLED displays, Alibaba said.

Both have bone conduction microphones, built-in cameras, and a “dual swappable battery system” that “provides up to 24 hours of battery life.” It is powered by Alibaba’s Qwen AI model and an associated app, meaning it can be controlled by voice or touch.

Alibaba said the glasses will be integrated with its apps such as Alipay and Taobao, as well as music streaming platforms such as QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music. They will be able to offer services such as on-the-go translation, instant price recognition, navigation support, and meeting transcription.

International models will be available next year according to Bloombergbut those markets have not been identified.

The glasses represent an attempt to penetrate the AI-powered wearables market, with tech companies betting they are the next big consumer gadget. Dead, with her Ray-Ban sunglassesis the clear leader, but there are other companies like Apple, and anything that Sam Altman develops with Jony Ive, they are Rush to catch up.