Halliday's G2 smart glasses, which do not have a camera, focus on enhancing meetings.

      It is uncommon for a crowdfunded hardware startup to receive a second chance to make a first impression. Halliday is seizing that opportunity. The company introduced the G2 on Tuesday, with prices starting at $499 and shipping set for September.

      A harsh beginning

      The initial glasses were met with criticism. Engadget rated them 54 out of 100, one of the lowest scores in its history. Android Police rated them 5 out of 10, describing them as a “buzzword-laden curiosity.”

      The issues stemmed from a cumbersome projector display positioned by the eye, poor-quality speakers, and a slow control ring. Chief Operating Officer Carter Hou acknowledged the shortcomings. He told Engadget that the company made “numerous errors” and has since overhauled its engineering and supply-chain teams.

      What’s different

      The G2 eliminates the gimmicks. The projector has been removed, replaced by waveguide displays, one for each eye, with a brightness of 1,600 nits. The unpopular control ring is also gone, replaced by a touchpad on the arm. The problematic charging port has been removed as well, and a camera remains absent by design.

      Early hands-on reviews are more favorable. The screen is now easier to view, and a four-microphone array captures commands even in a noisy environment. The Verge, previously not impressed with the original, now describes the G2 as “better glasses.”

      The significant shift: meetings

      The most notable change is the G2's purpose. Halliday has focused the G2 on business meetings. Its Meeting Flow utilizes AI agents in real-time during discussions: one tracks conversation threads, another highlights decisions made, and a third prompts for commitments before the meeting concludes. A summary is then sent to the app afterward.

      Hou argues that competitors like Plaud only assist post-meeting. Additional features include translation in 45 languages, a “Hey Halliday” assistant, an auto-scrolling cheat sheet, phone calls, and music.

      The drawbacks

      Two main concerns arise. The best features operate on a credit system, with options ranging from a free tier up to $99 a month, mirroring the subscription trend in wearable technology and smart glasses. Moreover, a headset that transcribes every meeting prompts the same privacy concerns associated with any always-listening device, regardless of having a camera.

      Additionally, there is the inherent risk of a startup. Halliday is requesting a $10 deposit now, with the remainder due upon shipping, a similar crowdfunding approach that left initial backers waiting for the first-generation product.

      Whether a screen-free, AI-centric pair of glasses can fulfill a genuine purpose, rather than simply serving as another buzzword-ridden novelty, is what the G2 must demonstrate.