focals by north
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North's next-generation smart glasses arrive in 2020
North only made its smart glasses widely available in September, but it's already thinking of the future. The Canadian wearable tech maker has revealed that it's releasing its next-gen eyewear, Focals 2.0, sometime in 2020. It's not saying much about what they'll entail besides showing a teaser image (which doesn't add more). However, it is promising that the new glasses will operate at a "completely different level" -- hyperbole aside, they're supposed to reflect a year of learning how to make and sell these devices.
North Focals add tighter Android notification integration
Focals maker North has updated its smartglasses to add support for native Android notification actions. The new feature allows Focals owners to act on any notification shortcuts Android developers may have added to their apps. With Gmail, for example, you'll be able to delete and archive emails by using the Loop ring that comes with every pair of the wearable.
Focals smart glasses put Google Fit data on your face
North's Focals smart glasses can put important data in your eyeline from the gym to the board room. The glasses can sync with Google Fit and Google Slides as a part of recent software updates announced by the company.
Smart glasses maker North reportedly lays off 150
North, the makers of the Focals smart glasses, has laid off a portion of its workforce. The company confirmed the layoffs to Engadget but would not specify how many people lost their jobs. The Verge reported today that the cuts affected 150 employees, which would account for a significant chunk of the more than 400 people who were employed by North.
North chops $400 from the price of its Focals smart glasses
The jury is still out on just how useful the recently-released Focals "smart glasses" are, but if you're the kind of person who's wanted to give head-mounted AR a shot, they at least are now a lot cheaper. Focals creator North just announced a big price cut: the glasses now cost $599, down from the $999 the company was originally asking.
