Alibaba Launches Qwen N1 AI Glasses in China from $450
Alibaba has started selling its new Qwen Glasses N1 smart glasses in China, at prices ranging from 2,999 yuan ($450) before discounts, according to Bloomberg. Several Chinese outlets report a slightly lower starting price of 2,899 yuan. With subsidies and launch offers, the glasses can be purchased for as little as 2,218 yuan (according to Yahoo Finance Hong Kong). They are available for purchase on Taobao, Tmall, JD.com, and Douyin.
The N1 model features a 50-megapixel camera and runs Alibaba's Qwen AI assistant, accessible through bone-conduction microphones. It offers capabilities like translation, meeting notes, shopping and payment assistance, and voice commands.
A Pro variant, priced at 3,499 yuan, adds eye tracking, iris scanning for payments, and health tracking features like heart rate, blood oxygen, and skin temperature monitoring (as reported by PConline).
Alongside the glasses, Alibaba has also released Qwen Clip, its first AI earbuds, made in collaboration with Bose. They clip onto the ear and cost 1,299 yuan. The earbuds also provide translation and note-taking functionality.
Alibaba first unveiled the N1 series and earbuds at its Apsara conference in September, and pre-orders opened on September 22nd.
At the launch event, Song Gang, a vice president in Alibaba's Qwen business, described the glasses as a "second pair of eyes and ears" for users (as reported by ZOL).
The launch comes with new guidelines for AI glasses in China. In September, a voluntary code was issued, asking AI glasses to display a light when recording.
Story by Ana Maria Constantin