Forget heavy headsets and locked ecosystems — Brilliant Labs Halo is a new kind of smart glasses: lightweight, developer-friendly, and designed for real-time AI interaction. With a micro OLED display, camera, bone conduction audio, and programmable Lua interface, Halo doesn’t just show you data — it helps you think with your eyes.
And yes — it’s fully open source.
Key Features
• Display: Micro color OLED display (external module)
• Display Position: Located in front-facing display housing, not embedded in the lens
• Camera: Built-in front-facing camera for AI visual input
• Audio: 2× ultra-compact bone conduction speakers
Sensors:
• Optical sensor for AI gestures and tap detection
• 2× microphones with audio activity detection
• 6-axis IMU (accelerometer + gyroscope)
• Processor: Low-power AI chip (not disclosed)
• Battery Life: Up to 14 hours (estimated)
• Charging: Magnetic pogo-pin connection
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
• Lightbar: Internal LED status indicator inside the frame
• Weight: Just over 40g
• Fit Range: 58–72mm IPD (interpupillary distance)
• Lens: Optical-grade lenses with anti-reflective coating
• Lens Options: Prescription (+2 to –6) and sunglasses available
Software:
• ZephyrOS (real-time embedded OS)
• Lua scripting interface
• Cross-platform mobile app (iOS and Android)
• Assistant: NOA – Neural Optical Assistant
• Open Source: Full hardware and firmware available via GitHub
Display: A Dedicated Module for Glanceable Visuals
Halo uses a separate micro OLED display housed in a dedicated front module. The image is not embedded inside the lens — instead, it’s optically aligned to appear in a fixed, glanceable position in your field of view.
The display shows short bursts of AI responses, translations, symbols or indicators. It is not designed for immersive AR or video — it’s for lightweight, real-time feedback only. No projection claims. No waveguides. Just clean interface.
Built-In Camera for AI Context
Halo includes a front-facing camera designed for real-time AI tasks. It captures what you’re looking at — text, objects, surfaces — and sends it to the assistant for interpretation or response. You cannot take photos or record video- the camera is used only for AI vision input.
Discreet Audio Through Bone Conduction
Halo uses two ultra-compact bone conduction speakers to deliver AI responses directly to your inner ear while keeping your ears open. This ensures safety and awareness in public spaces, without sacrificing clarity.
No wake words are required — you activate NOA through gestures, tap detection, or via the app.
NOA: Neural Optical Assistant
Halo is powered by NOA, a multimodal AI assistant designed for real-time, hands-free interaction.
• Answer visual queries
• Summarize what you’re looking at
• Set memory anchors
• Trigger voice or gesture-based commands
• Interact conversationally via app
NOA is cloud-based and privacy-first. It only activates when you request it.
NOA is available in two tiers:
• Basic: Free, limited to essential queries and request caps
• Plus: Coming soon — will offer realtime AI, memory history, and faster logic (pricing not announced)
Open Source by Default
Halo runs ZephyrOS, a real-time embedded system that’s fully programmable. Developers have access to:
• Lua scripting APIs
• Flutter SDK for mobile extension
• Hardware schematics
• Firmware and runtime logic
• All tools hosted openly on GitHub
You can build your own agent, modify NOA, adjust gesture responses, or replace the interface entirely.
Price and Availability
Price: $299 USD
• Pre-orders: Open now via brilliant.xyz
• Shipping: Q4 2025 (before holidays)
• Fulfillment: First come, first served
Taxes and Returns
• Taxes: Not included at checkout — depends on country
Returns:
• Full refund within 30 days (unused), minus $49 restocking fee
• Free replacement for defective units
• Support: hello@itsbrilliant.co
Cons
• No Wi-Fi or LTE — tethering required
• Display only visible in a limited area
• Camera has no user-facing photo/video function (and low quality)
• Prescription lens ordering requires external service
• Plus-tier subscription details not available yet
• Slow updating servises (care only with developers)
FAQ
• Is the display embedded in the lens?
No — it’s a separate micro OLED module mounted near the lens.
• Can I take pictures or record video?
No — the camera is for AI vision input only.
• Does it work offline?
Basic device functions may work offline, but AI requires connection.
• Is it programmable?
Yes — via Lua, ZephyrOS, and GitHub tools.
• Can I use it without a subscription?
Yes — NOA Basic is free and functional.
Final Verdict
Rating: 1 / 5
Brilliant Labs Halo sets out to be a breakthrough in wearable AI — but in reality, it carries forward many of the same limitations that defined its predecessor, and adds a surprising design regression.
The new version has lost its original identity. Where the previous Halo design was clean, distinctive, and thoughtful, the updated frame looks and feels like an off-the-shelf generic pair of glasses. The visual character is gone — replaced by cost-cut appearance and basic hardware assembly.
Worse, after more than a year with the previous version, no major features were ever added. The companion app remained stagnant, lacking multi-language support, updates, or daily-use functionality. Notifications? Missing. Smart assistant with reminders? Absent. Language translation? Never implemented.
In day-to-day use, Halo has always been a developer tool — not a consumer product. The camera works only in bright conditions. The AI can “see” what you point at, but only sometimes. The assistant can “answer”, but not act. Even simple actions like translating a menu or receiving a phone alert are unavailable. No offline mode, no smart integrations, no native apps.
The camera quality is poor. The hardware feels fragile. And the assistant experience still relies on you opening a test app on Android, with zero frictionless integration. Everything is either underdeveloped, unfinished, or waiting on a roadmap that never arrives.
Worst of all — when asked directly about updates, the team’s own answer was honest: “Halo is built for developers, not everyday users.”
So let’s be honest too. If you’re not a developer, there is nothing here for you. Halo remains a promising experiment, but an unfinished one — more prototype than product.
