China’s Alibaba brings removable batteries to the smart glasses race

Chinese tech giant Alibaba has entered the AI-powered smart glasses market with its Quark headsets, which feature removable batteries and up to 24 hours of battery life.
The Quark AI glasses come in two variants: the S1 flagship and the G1 lifestyle-focused model, both available in multiple colors and lens types, starting at $537 and $268 respectively.
The glasses have bone conduction microphones, built-in cameras, and a swappable dual-battery system, allowing for seamless battery replacement and extended usage.
Alibaba’s Quark AI glasses will be integrated with its apps, such as Alipay and Taobao, as well as music streaming platforms like QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music, providing services like on-the-go translation and navigation support.

Chinese tech giant Alibaba entered the AI-powered smart glasses race on Thursday with the release of its Quark headsets in China. Notably, the batteries can be swapped out for all day usage unlike competitors.

Alibaba said the Quark AI glasses come in two variants, the S1 flagship and the “lifestyle-focused” G1, in multiple colors and lens types. Prices start at 3,799 yuan ($537) and 1,899 yuan ($268), respectively. The main difference are the lenses, Alibaba said, with the S1 using clear micro-OLED displays.

Both have bone conduction microphones, built-in cameras, and a “swappable dual-battery system” that “delivers up to 24 hours of battery life.” They’re powered by Alibaba’s AI model Qwen and a linked app, meaning they can be controlled via voice or touch.

Alibaba said the glasses will be integrated with its apps like Alipay and Taobao, as well as music streaming platforms like QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music. They’ll be able to provide services like on-the-go translation, instant price recognition, navigation support, and meeting transcription.

International models will be available next year, according to Bloomberg, but those markets haven’t been identified.

The glasses mark an effort to crack the market for AI-powered wearables tech companies bet could be the next big consumer gadget. Meta, with its Ray-Ban glasses, is the clear leader, but others like Apple, and whatever Sam Altman is developing with Jony Ive, are rushing to catch up.

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Q. Who entered the AI-powered smart glasses race with the release of its Quark headsets?

A. China’s Alibaba.

Q. What is unique about the batteries in Alibaba’s Quark AI glasses?

A. The batteries can be swapped out for all-day usage, unlike competitors.

Q. How many variants of Quark AI glasses are available?

A. Two variants: S1 flagship and G1, with multiple colors and lens types.

Q. At what price do the S1 variant of Quark AI glasses start?

A. 3,799 yuan ($537).

Q. What is the main difference between the lenses of the S1 and G1 variants?

A. The S1 uses clear micro-OLED displays, while the G1 has a different lens type.

Q. How long can the batteries in Quark AI glasses deliver battery life?

A. Up to 24 hours with the swappable dual-battery system.

Q. What apps will be integrated with the Quark AI glasses?

A. Alibaba’s apps like Alipay and Taobao, as well as music streaming platforms like QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music.

Q. Will international models of Quark AI glasses be available next year?

A. Yes, according to Bloomberg, but the markets haven’t been identified yet.

Q. Who is currently leading in the market for AI-powered wearables?

A. Meta, with its Ray-Ban glasses.

Q. What other tech companies are rushing to catch up in the smart glasses market?

A. Apple and Sam Altman’s project with Jony Ive.