HTC Launches Vive Eagle Smart Glasses With Privacy Controls

HTC Corp. is launching the Vive Eagle smart glasses in the United States on Thursday for $499. The wearable device integrates AI assistants from Google Gemini and ChatGPT through enterprise APIs that function without requiring user logins or identifying information.

To address public concerns regarding clandestine recording, the company implemented several privacy safeguards. The device blocks the camera if the recording LED is covered, stops recording if the glasses are removed from the face, and allows bystanders to end a recording by saying "stop recording."

The Vive Eagle includes 12-megapixel cameras capable of 3K video, 32 gigabytes of storage, and IP54 dust and water resistance. The product enters a competitive market currently led by Meta Platforms Inc., with future releases expected from Google, Samsung Electronics Co., Snap Inc., and Xreal Inc. Apple Inc. is projected to reveal audio-based glasses in 2027.