AppleVis Extra #110: Envision & the Ally Solos Smart Glasses

In this episode of AppleVis Extra, hosts Dave Nason and Thomas Domville welcome back Karthik Kannan from Envision for his second appearance this year. The discussion centers around Envision’s newest wearable: the Ally Solos Smart Glasses, developed in partnership with Solos. The conversation covers design, functionality, pricing, and how these glasses differ from Envision’s previous offerings and other competing smart glasses.

Key Topics Covered

• Background on Envision

  • Brief history of the Envision AI app and original Envision glasses.
  • Introduction of Ally, Envision’s conversational AI assistant.

• The Ally Solos Smart Glasses

  • Lightweight design (approx. 42g) with two HD (2K-class) cameras.
  • Directional stereo speakers with minimal sound leakage.
  • Beamforming microphones for clear audio pickup in noisy environments.
  • Touchpad controls for volume, Ally activation, and navigation.
  • USB-C rechargeable stems with fast charging (14-hour battery life).

• Functionality & Integration

  • Full Ally integration for text reading, object recognition, facial recognition, and conversational interaction.
  • Can also function as standard Bluetooth headphones for calls, music, and voice assistants.
  • Ability to take photos with auto-generated alt text.
  • No built-in GPS — relies on paired phone for location-based services.

• Pricing & Availability

  • Pre-order tiers from \$399 to \$599 USD (€ pricing equivalent).
  • Post-launch price expected to be \$699 USD.
  • Worldwide availability.
  • Pre-orders include one year of Ally Pro subscription (valued at \$200).

• Accessibility & Language Support

  • Designed specifically for blind and low-vision users, with accessibility in setup and daily use.
  • Supports over 20 interface languages (planned to expand to \~40) and understands 100+ languages for input/output.

• Future Features & Partnerships

  • Plans for offline Ally functionality in future updates.
  • Potential integration with Aira and Be My Eyes.
  • Commitment to continue supporting original Envision Glasses alongside the new model.

Links & Resources

• Pre-order Ally Solos Glasses: ally.me/glasses

Transcript

Disclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.

Dave: Hello there and welcome to another episode of the AppleVis Extra. This is episode number 110. I am your host, David Nason, and joined once again by Thomas Domville for AnonyMouse. Good to see you again, buddy. How are you?

Thomas: Hey, it's good to see you too. Oh my gosh, we're going to be bringing them on for the second time this year, right? It seems like they're on a roll here.

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