# Affordable Connected Glasses North Hopes to Be the Warby Parker of Smart Glasses By Justin Lam | Published 2018-10-25 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/affordable-connected-glasses References: [theverge](https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/10/23/18010468/north-focals-glasses-thalmic-labs) & [business.financialpost](https://business.financialpost.com/technology/waterloo-based-thalmic-labs-unveils-augmented-reality-smart-glasses) Formerly known as Thalmic Labs, North has recently rebranded with the goal of offering affordable connected glasses at brick-and-mortar locations. Launching with its new Focals glasses, North hopes to capture the same success seen in Warby Parker but with a focus on [tech-infused glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/specs). The Focals currently serve as the flagship glasses for North and are modeled after a pair of thick-rimmed, black hipster-esque glasses. Each pair of Focals features a tiny, color laser in the right arm. This laser displays information from a smartphone to a user and connects via Bluetooth. The laser bounces off a piece of polymer creating a 15-degree viewing area that’s about 300 x 300 pixels. While the Focals are affordable connected glasses, the wearables still manage to impress users and functions as intricate utility machines. Image Credit: Peter J. Thompson/Financial Post ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 87% | Activity: 88% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Affordable Connected Glasses:** There is an opportunity for businesses to offer affordable tech-infused glasses like North's Focals that serve as intricate utility machines while still being fashionable and accessible. - **Brick-and-mortar Retail of Smart Glasses:** The success of Warby Parker proves that there is an opportunity for North and other companies to offer smart glasses in brick-and-mortar locations, making them more accessible to consumers. - **Disrupting Traditional Eyewear Industry:** The innovation of smart glasses by companies like North has the potential to disrupt the traditional eyewear industry, making glasses not just a medical necessity, but a lifestyle accessory. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Eyewear Industry:** Companies in the eyewear industry need to keep up with technological advancements and offer more tech-infused products to stay competitive and cater to changing consumer demands. - **Retail Industry:** The success of Warby Parker and North's brick-and-mortar approach to selling innovative glasses suggests there is an opportunity for disruptors in the retail industry to offer more cutting-edge, accessible products. - **Technology Industry:** The emergence of affordable connected glasses like North's Focals highlights the potential innovation opportunities in the technology industry, particularly in wearables and smart devices. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Open-Source AI Eyewear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frame-glasses.md) - [Consumer-Focused Smart Glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vuzix-z100-smart.md) - [Lightweight AR Eyewear Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nreal-air.md) - [Compact AR Glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spectacles-gen-5.md) - [Cinema-Scale AR Smart Glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightweight-ar-glasses.md) - [Tech-Equipped Eyewear Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nautica.md) - [DIY AR-Functioned Monocle Clip-Ons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monocle-1.md) - [AI-Powered Smart Eyewear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meta-hstn.md) - [Featherlight Smart Glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brilliant-labs-halo.md)