It’s not rocket science. A huge part of the reason why Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarers are the best face computer is because a lot of people already do want to wear Ray-Ban Wayfarers. It’s a lot easier to persuade people to wear a smart accessory when that accessory looks sharp as hell. Meta has committed to the bit with its latest launch, the Ray-Ban Meta x Coperni collaboration, which just debuted at Paris Fashion Week, no less.
Photograph: Ray-Ban; Meta
Coperni is a French fashion brand that’s known for semi-techy stunts like spraying a dress onto model Bella Hadid, so collaborating with Meta isn’t totally off-brand. The Coperni glasses are limited-edition (naturally). In addition to all the usual Ray-Ban Meta features—live video recording, AI capabilities, pretty great sound quality—the Coperni glasses have limited edition numbering, a Coperni charging case, and gray mirror lenses. Important to remember, though: Buying a $549 pair of fashion AI glasses will not make you look like a modern-day oligarch. You’re going to need a chin implant, a car with 37 recall notices, or a bunker in Hawaii to do that.—Adrienne So
Watch Out Elon, Former Tesla and Lucid Bods Are Making Their Own Roadster EVs
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Photograph: Longbow
New EV brands are springing up all the time, but what makes Longbow Motors special is not only the stunning designs of the first two incoming models but that this start-up is founded by former execs from Tesla, BYD, and Lucid. That’s quite the pedigree.
The two EVs are the Speedster (above), with no roof or windscreen, which will be followed by a fixed-roof, two-seat coupe called the Roadster. The rear-wheel drive Speedster will be limited to 150 cars, and weigh in at just 895 kg, giving it a 275-mile range, a claimed 0-62 mph time of 3.5 seconds, and $92,600 price tag. The Roadster will be cheaper at $70,850, but 100 kg heavier, yet still good for 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds, and 280 miles.
Longbow claims it will have a prototype by summer, and final cars to those brave enough to pre-order as early as next year. And in case you were wondering if it’s just coincidence one of the EVs is called “Roadster,” it isn’t. Co-founder Daniel Davy, who worked at Tesla during the development of its original Roadster, told Top Gear that the moniker was a jibe at the continually delayed Tesla Roadster MkII.
“A lot of customers have put deposits down for a Roadster that they can’t get,” Davy told Top Gear. “If people want to get back their $250,000 deposit for a 2020 car and put it into a better car they’re going to get sooner, they’re welcome to do it. Our Roadster’s going to be on the ground first.” —Jeremy White
Get a Handle on JBL’s Pimped Most Popular Speakers
Photography: JBL
JBL dropped two new speakers in time for the warm weather ahead. This week, the company debuted rejigged versions of the JBL Flip 7 and the JBL Charge 6—two of its most popular models. Both have enhanced sound (“bigger and bolder,” according to JBL), its Sound Boost tech that analyzes music in real-time and optimizes the driver accordingly, as well as high-res lossless audio via USB-C. You can also pair it with other Auracast-enabled JBL speakers (although it won’t work with older models that use PartyBoost).