Your Top Questions About Ally Solos Glasses, Answered

The excitement around the Ally Solos Glasses has been incredible, and we've been thrilled to hear from so many of you with great questions. Our co-founders, Karthik Kannan & Karthik Mahadevan, sat down to answer some of the most common ones in an AMA (Ask Me Anything) video.

We’ve pulled out the highlights to make it easy to find the answers you're looking for. Here is the full video:

Understanding the Glasses: How Are They Different?

One of the first things people ask is how the Ally Solos Glasses compare to other products on the market.

Ally Solos Glasses vs. Envision Glasses: The core difference is in how they work. Envision Glasses were a standalone device with a built-in processor, which made them heavier and used more battery. The Ally Solos Glasses, however, are designed to be lightweight and comfortable because they do all their heavy processing through your phone. This means you get a much longer battery life and a sleeker design.

Ally Solos Glasses vs. Other Smart Glasses: Most mainstream smart glasses aren't built with accessibility in mind. We designed the Ally Solos Glasses specifically for people who are blind or have low vision, as well as older adults. They excel at real-world tasks that matter, like reading text, recognizing faces, and describing scenes—all things you can do independently and hands-free.

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Ally vs. Ally Pro: What’s the Deal?

A common question is whether you need to buy a subscription to use the glasses.

Ally is free: You can download the Ally app today and start using it with its core features at no cost. Ally Pro unlocks more: This is for power users who want advanced features like custom voices, unlimited conversation minutes, and shortcuts. The Ally Solos Glasses pre-order includes a free one-year Ally Pro subscription, so you can experience everything Ally has to offer. After a year, you can choose to continue or simply use the free version.

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Everyday Use & Features

The Ally Solos Glasses are made to integrate seamlessly into your life. They can act as a regular pair of Bluetooth headphones for music or calls, and they work with other apps that have audio output, like Soundscape. You can also directly invoke Siri or Gemini through the glasses.

Here are a few more details about their capabilities:

• Reading: Ally is excellent at reading text from almost any surface—printed documents, handwritten notes, and even digital screens. It supports over 80 languages and is compatible with Braille displays.
• Navigation: While not a substitute for a white cane, the glasses can help with orientation and describing your surroundings by identifying objects and reading signs.
• Offline Use: The glasses need to be connected to your phone and the internet to work. We are, however, working to bring more offline features to Ally in the future.
• Privacy: We take your privacy very seriously. All data is handled with strict confidentiality and is GDPR compliant. The camera's LED indicator stays on when in use to let others know when it's active.

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Hardware & Practical Questions

You also had some great questions about the physical design of the glasses.

• Battery Life: You get 15+ hours of active use on a single charge. The stems are replaceable and have their own batteries, so you can swap them for extra power on the go.
• Charging: The glasses come with a magnetic charger, but you can also charge the stems with a simple USB-C cable.
• Durability: The glasses are IP67 splash-resistant, meaning they can handle a light rain or a splash, but they are not waterproof.
• Sensors: They include a gyroscope and compass, which we have some exciting plans for in the future.

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Customization & Try-On

• Lenses: You can easily replace the default lenses with your own prescription or tinted lenses at any local optician without voiding the warranty.
• Sizing: The glasses come in two sizes—regular and large—and three frame colors so you can find the perfect fit and look.
• Trying Before Buying: Since this is a pre-order, you can’t try them on just yet. But we offer a 30-day return policy starting from the day they are shipped. If they aren’t the right fit, it is possible to get a full refund.

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The Fun Stuff: Beyond the Basics

Ally isn’t just for work—it’s a friend! Our co-founders answered some of the more playful questions:

• Can Ally tell the difference between my dogs? Yes, Ally knows different dog breeds.
• Will Ally tell me if my plants need water? Yes! It can tell you if your plants are thriving or just surviving.
• Does Ally have a sense of humor? Definitely! You can customize your Ally with a unique personality and even make it a sarcastic comedian.
• Can Ally tell me if my socks match or if I have a stain on my shirt? Yes, it’s a great fashion and stain-checking companion.

We were so happy to answer these questions and can’t wait to get these glasses into your hands. The pre-order campaign is still live, but spots are limited. Grab your pair today at https://ally.me/glasses.