Razer Thinks You'd Rather Have AI Headphones Instead of Glasses (theverge.com) 21
Razer today unveiled Project Motoko, a concept pair of over-ear headphones equipped with dual cameras that the gaming peripherals company believes could serve as an alternative to the smart glasses that have proliferated across the wearable AI market. The headphones feature two 4K cameras positioned on the earcups along with near and far field microphones, all powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. Users can point the cameras at objects and ask questions to AI assistants including those from OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI and Microsoft.
Basic queries run locally on the device while more complex requests require a phone or PC connection. Razer's pitch centers on battery life: the wireless headset has achieved up to 36 hours on a charge during testing, according to the company, compared to the eight hours rated for Meta's second-generation Ray-Ban AI glasses. The company also argues that over-ear headphones offer more privacy since audio responses aren't audible to bystanders.
The concept remains unfinished, Bloomberg News cautioned. During a product demonstration, the headset's dual cameras failed occasionally to recognize objects even in a moderately lit room. Razer has not committed to final pricing but indicated the headphones would command a "slight premium" over other high-end headphones and would be available later this year. The company's most expensive current headset costs $400.
Basic queries run locally on the device while more complex requests require a phone or PC connection. Razer's pitch centers on battery life: the wireless headset has achieved up to 36 hours on a charge during testing, according to the company, compared to the eight hours rated for Meta's second-generation Ray-Ban AI glasses. The company also argues that over-ear headphones offer more privacy since audio responses aren't audible to bystanders.
The concept remains unfinished, Bloomberg News cautioned. During a product demonstration, the headset's dual cameras failed occasionally to recognize objects even in a moderately lit room. Razer has not committed to final pricing but indicated the headphones would command a "slight premium" over other high-end headphones and would be available later this year. The company's most expensive current headset costs $400.
They're still wrong (Score:4, Insightful)
I'd rather have none of it.
Re: (Score:1)
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I earned the "curmudgeon" achievement 100% on my own. I feel odd enough wearing a smartwatch though I do find it very useful for NFC key card access where I work.
I don't doubt folks would find smart glasses similarly useful but having "AI" shoved up the ass of every electronic gadget I own... what consumer is asking for this?
just jam AI into it (Score:3, Insightful)
unreal how much marketing executives get paid to make suggestions like jamming AI into a product. wasn’t the last trend AR? a multinational company renamed their company over it, and how’s that working out for them?
stop jumping on the bandwagons, folks. just make a good product that people want to buy.
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just make a good product that people want to buy.
That's last century thinking, man. We gotta think in terms of "value added" and "best excuse to data-mine" when developing new products now. It doesn't matter if anybody out there wants it. We'll get marketing, the new priesthood of the church of greed, i.e. capitalism, to TELL them they want it after it's developed. Come on, get with the program. Nobody wants what they want anymore. They want what we tell them they want. If they think they don't want it, just keep preaching that they do until we make them
Consumer Waterboarding. (Score:1)
Let's just skip right to Chapter Profit, shall we?
Headphones with cameras mounted near my ears to subconsciously whisper-convince my wallet what it needs to buy, just in case my eyes tried to reaffirm my natural desire to say "Hell no I'm not buying that pointless shit."
I think I'll take my headphones without the consumer waterboarding feature, spank you very much.
One vowel wrong (Score:3, Funny)
What I want is an AI Razor, not Razer, that will shave AI off of all the places where it's grown.
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I'll take the Flaimethrower Edition, thank you very much.
Can't we just jump straight to cyberware ... (Score:2)
... and full-body cyborg mods right away? And then hack those. Imagine getting your cyberbody infected with GoblinMode by LOLCR3W and then hopping around all day, naked with a steel boner histerically giggling without the ability to shut it off. ... ... That mask they were planing looks cool though. How's that coming along?
On second thoughts, Razor can keep their AI headphones. And their cyberware.
Hey, Razer! (Score:3)
Actually, I'd rather have a scooter than headphones or glasses.
This sounds familiar (Score:2)
Silicon Valley - Jian Yangs hotdog app [youtube.com]
Something from Star Wars (Score:2)
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I love how Lobot used to be exceptional as a "bluetooth asshole," but now he's mainstream orthodox.
He didn't change. We did.
Spying (Score:1)
If they want to spy on me, sell my data to ad companies, and make money... I should get it for free. Even better - pay me to use it! I'm not buying anything anymore that collects and sells my data, whilst costing a lot. I'm fed up with their greed.
"The company also argues that over-ear headphones offer more privacy since audio responses aren't audible to bystanders." LOL this is the least of my worries when it comes to privacy. They want you to know they care about your privacy... from bystanders. LOL
Read my lips (Score:1)
Nooooo!!!!! (Score:3)
Remember 25 years ago when self-absorbed assholes would walk around with bluetooth headsets having a loud conversation with someone while in line at the grocery store? Get ready for the even more annoying AI version of that.
I get to be uncomfortable AND look like a dork?! (Score:2)
Confido. (Score:1)