High-end electronics maker Bose Corp. today jumped into the augmented reality market with the launch of glasses that use audio for interactive service delivery.

Described as the “world’s first audio augmented reality platform,” Bose’s “Frames” are claimed to take “micro-acoustics and voice control to an entirely new level, debuting the future of mobile sound in the tiniest, thinnest, most lightweight Bose system ever.”

Debuted at the SXSW conference in March, Frames can stream music and information, take and make calls, and access virtual assistants, including Apple Inc.’s Siri and Google Assistant.

Although they sound more like smart Bluetooth earbuds embedded in a glasses frame, the product goes further than that.

Along with offering interactive audio support, Frames includes a nine-axis head motion sensor. Combined with GPS from a connected iOS or Android device, they can automatically add a layer of audio with information or music that relates to a user’s current location.

“Bose Frames are both revolutionary and practical,” Mehul Trivedi, director of Bose Frames, said in a statement. “They look and act like classic sunglasses — until you turn them on. And then you’re connected to your phone, contacts, the web, and all its audible content, just like headphones.”

While eschewing any visual features, Bose believes that the audio-only AR Frames have strong possibilities and are following in the footsteps of others in the space with a developer platform for the devices.

Details are a little light, but the company said it has shipped about 10,000 pairs to developers. More details, including what the company calls Bose AR Experiences, are slated to be announced at SXSW in March.

On the tech side, Frames naturally have a built-in microphone with the headphones built into the frame. Battery life is 3.5 hours of continuous use or 12 hours standby with charging taking two hours via a pogo-pin connector.

There will initially be two different models available: larger glasses called Alto and a smaller Rondo model, with both coming in at $199. The glasses will go on sale in the U.S. in January at Bose stores and Bose.com with global markets to follow next spring.

Photo: Bose