Solos's privacy fix for smartglasses is delightfully weird, but it should actually work

One smartglasses maker is taking privacy worries over its camera-equipped models so seriously, it has released a kit of special “look, no camera!” accessories to help put everyone’s mind at rest.

Solos’s Privacy Kit joins a new, lightweight, camera-less pair of smart glasses called the AirGo A6.

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Solos Privacy Kit

The Privacy Kit is very unusual. It’s compatible with Solos’s $300 AirGo V2 smartglasses, which have a 16-megapixel camera set in the temple.

Inside the kit is the ClearView Temple, which is a complete replacement arm for the AirGo V2 without any of the electronics required to make the camera operate. How do people know? The temple has a transparent section showing its free from camera tech.

The kit also includes a clip-on privacy shield which covers the camera completely, ensuring it not only can’t be seen, but also can’t take photos or videos. It’s joined by a clip-on sunglasses privacy shield, ready to not be creepy at the beach.

The ClearView Temple works due to the AirGo V2’s modular design, where the temples and front piece can easily be swapped out, changing functionality or style according to the situation.

It’s an interesting approach to the many privacy concerns around smartglasses with a camera, and there’s no question that by either removing the camera hardware or covering the lens completely, the camera won’t work.

However, it’ll be very odd to buy a pair of camera-equipped smart glasses, only to then spend more to delete the camera functionality completely.

Solos sells a pack with the ClearView Temple and the two clip-on shields for $80, or you can purchase the ClearView Temple separately for $50. The AirGo V2 are also now available globally.

Solos AirGo V6

The Privacy Kit isn’t Solos’s only effort to reduce concerns over camera use. The AirGo V6 doesn’t have a camera at all, and the weight of the smartglasses shows why some won’t mind.

Solos claims the frames are just 19 grams without lenses, meaning the complete package should be highly wearable all day. The frames are compatible with a full range of prescription lenses for those who require them.

The AirGo V6 are “AI Glasses,” and put a voice-activated AI assistant on your face. It’s compatible with SolosAI, SolosChat, and other AI assistants. Solos says other functionality includes voice memos, translation, calls using the built-in speakers and microphone, reminders, and messaging.

Solos has not confirmed the price or release details for the AirGo V6 at the time of writing.