The key facts

  • Alibaba showed second-generation Qwen-based glasses: N1 — $450, N1 Pro — $523 (according to Bloomberg).
  • The N1 Pro tracks gaze, recognizes objects with AI, supports iris-based payments, and monitors heart rate, blood oxygen, and skin temperature.
  • In standby mode the glasses last up to 25 hours, and up to 9 hours when playing music; the batteries in the temples are removable. Sales are in China only for now.

Alibaba releases second-generation glasses

Chinese company Alibaba has unveiled second-generation smart glasses based on Qwen, priced from $450, Bloomberg reports. The device comes in two versions — the N1 and the N1 Pro.

Features of the N1 Pro version

The higher-end model is additionally equipped with an eye-tracking system: the glasses determine which object the user is looking at, recognize it with artificial intelligence, and provide information about it. The N1 Pro also supports payments confirmed via the iris of the eye and tracks health metrics, including heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and skin temperature.

Battery life and availability

According to the company, in standby mode the glasses run for up to 25 hours on a single charge, and up to nine hours when playing music. The batteries in the temples are removable. The base N1 version costs $450, and the N1 Pro costs $523. The glasses are already on sale in China; it is unknown when the device will be available in other regions.