Alibaba unveils new AI-powered smart glasses to challenge Meta

Yesterday 17:51

By: Azzat Manal

Alibaba unveils new AI-powered smart glasses to challenge Meta

Chinese technology giant Alibaba has unveiled a new generation of artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses, expanding its presence in the wearable technology market and intensifying competition with Meta. The device combines advanced imaging capabilities with an AI assistant and access to digital services, reflecting a broader industry effort to make artificial intelligence part of everyday activities.

The company presented its new Quark AI Glasses N1 at an event in Hangzhou, China. According to the reported launch details, the standard version is priced at 2,999 yuan, equivalent to approximately $450 before discounts, while the higher-end model costs 3,499 yuan.

The glasses feature 50-megapixel cameras and upgraded sensors designed to enhance their capabilities. The premium version also includes eye-tracking technology, offering an additional way for users to interact with the device and access its functions.

A central feature of Alibaba’s product is its integration with Quark, the company’s AI assistant. Users can communicate with the assistant through microphones that use bone-conduction technology, while the glasses provide access to services such as online shopping, electronic payments and health-related tracking features.

The launch highlights Alibaba’s ambition to extend AI beyond smartphones and computers. By embedding its digital assistant into a wearable device, the company aims to make its services more accessible while connecting hardware with applications and online platforms within its wider ecosystem.

The initiative also forms part of Alibaba’s broader strategy to develop an integrated AI environment spanning language models, applications, semiconductor technology and smart devices. Bringing these elements together could help the company expand the reach of its AI services and strengthen links between its technology products and commercial platforms.

Alibaba is entering a market where Meta has established a presence through its smart glasses developed in partnership with Ray-Ban. These devices reflect growing interest in combining conventional eyewear with cameras, voice-based assistance and AI features, allowing users to access information and digital functions without constantly reaching for a phone.

Competition in the sector is increasingly centred on usability, service integration, battery life, privacy and the range of tasks that wearable devices can perform. For Alibaba, the success of its new glasses will depend not only on their technical specifications but also on how effectively they connect users with the company’s existing services and whether consumers find the features useful in daily life.