North announces Focals 2.0 Augmented Reality smart glasses, with shipping to begin in 2020

In Augmented Reality News

December 10, 2019 – North, the maker of Focals smart glasses, has today announced that its next generation of smart glasses, Focals 2.0, which will begin shipping in 2020. Focals everyday smart glasses feature a display that offers users heads up access to their digital life. North has stated that it is committed to inventing the future of eyewear, and Focals 2.0 represent the most significant product introduction to date in the category, according to the company.

Initial images of Focals 2.0 show an improved form factor, with temple arms that fold at hinges located on the end piece of the glasses, as opposed to folding half way down the temple arm, as was the case with the first generation Focals. In terms of specifications, North has not yet disclosed much information as to what features will be included in Focals 2.0, however, the company has stated that it has further miniaturized its technology for the second generation model by 40%. Focals 2.0 will also be lighter, and will feature a sharper 10x improved retinal display, according to North.

“The first generation of Focals marked the evolution of traditional glasses to smart glasses, with a considered design representing the first true everyday smart glasses available on the market,” said Stephen Lake, CEO and co-founder of North. “Focals 2.0 are at a completely different level, as the most advanced smart glasses ever made. They represent an enormous step forward in engineering the future. We spent the last year in the market learning how to build, sell and support smart glasses with our first generation product, that we now will combine with over five years of research working on the technology upgrades in Focals 2.0.”

As of today, North is focused on bringing Focals 2.0 to market and the first generation of Focals will no longer be available for purchase. “Focals 2.0 is such an incredible step forward and we are gearing up to bring to market at scale,” said the company’s CTO and co-founder, Matthew Bailey. “Since launching Focals last fall, we have consistently updated the product experience and will continue to add new features and functionality to our first product generation as we build to our launch of 2.0.”

North announced its Focals smart glasses, designed to look as good as traditional eyewear, in October 2018. The launch included the opening of two North Flagship Retail Showrooms in Brooklyn, USA, and Toronto, Canada, followed by mobile Pop-Up Showrooms that have toured major cities since February 2019. Most recently, North debuted the Focals Showroom iOS app, enabling customers to complete the required sizing process (via an iPhone X or above) and purchase Focals online.

Image credit: North

About the author

Sam Sprigg

Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.