Solos launches camera-equipped smart glasses with removable privacy shield

Audio-focused smart glasses maker Solos is expanding into camera-equipped eyewear. The company unveiled two new models this week: the AirGo A6, which remains audio-only, and the AirGo V2, a camera-enabled device priced at $299 to compete directly with Meta's offering.

What the new glasses offer#

The AirGo V2 brings features familiar to Meta's smart glasses: built-in photo and video recording, music playback, and an AI assistant that processes visual input from the wearer's perspective. The frames support prescription lenses and deliver 10 to 12 hours of battery life between charges. They're positioned as a lower-cost alternative to established players while addressing privacy concerns through a modular design.

The privacy angle#

Rather than baking privacy directly into the hardware, Solos is selling a separate Privacy Kit accessory for $79. The kit includes a clip-on shield that physically blocks the cameras and a polarized lens option. Wearers can attach or remove these components as needed, effectively converting the glasses between full-featured and audio-only modes without changing devices.

Privacy concerns with the approach#

Critics question whether a removable privacy blocker addresses the real problem. Requiring users to repeatedly attach and detach clips creates friction that may discourage consistent use. More troublingly, nothing prevents someone from removing the shield during an interaction—a particular concern in venues where camera recording is prohibited. WIRED previously reviewed Solos' earlier camera model, the AirGo Vision, and found it underwhelming, hampered by mediocre image quality and overly demanding software.

Meta's dominance and competition#

Meta remains the market leader in smart glasses but has faced backlash over privacy issues, including criticism over face recognition capabilities and recent announcements about charging subscription fees for previously free features. Meanwhile, rivals are making headway: Google and Samsung are developing Android XR glasses through partnerships with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, while Apple is reportedly developing its own model. Even smaller players like Even Realities are carving niches with camera-free alternatives. Solos sees an opening in the audio-only segment, betting that privacy-conscious consumers will prefer glasses without recording capabilities—though the company's new camera model suggests it wants to compete across the entire market.