Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Update: 15th June, 2022. The frame broke down near the temple (photos attached) even with my ultra-careful handling and removing the glasses with both hands when not used. Very disappointed with durability of the product. As I am using them with prescription lenses with no insurance coverage, I have to use them. So, tried attaching it with superglue which worked for a few hours only and the parts separated. Tried 3M tape, it held for a few days but drags my hair out every time I remove the frame. Again did not keep the frame together. Chatted with Amazon but they just offered 15% discount if I order again! Thinking if the cost is worth buying at all or worth recommending echo frames to others. Feel sad I bought two frames and gifted. Wonder when they will break down. Disclaimer: I am an Alexa addict and have almost all the Echo Shows/Echo Dots/Echo Spots/Echo Auto etc etc. I bought the Generation 1 Echo Frames and have been using it for nearly 2 months. Got my prescription lenses fitted immediately. Told them not to bend the frame or apply any heat as mentioned in the Instructions supplied. What I liked: 1) I was excited that I can hear the phone calls without others nearer to me listening to it,. When I use a phone esp iPhone, others can distinctly hear. Privacy is nice to have. 2) Having Alexa on the go is very useful. (I have Echo Auto but when I am out of the car, the Echo Frames help to maintain all things done with Echo Auto) The facility to instruct Alexa to turn on the lights and airconditioner (living in a temperate area) is cool. 3) Quick listening to the news or podcast as I walk to my work place is very useful. 4) Last but not the least: With my daily work in Covid ICU, it is a greatly useful appliance as I don't have to zip down my PPE to take my plastic-covered mobile phone to answer urgent calls. The fact that I can slide the right temple bar to answer the calls is a great relief. But I take care to use an alcohol wipe to clean the frame though I wash my hands/gloves with soap/water or alcohol sanitizer after patient contact. It's a boon to Health Care Workers in this current pandemic. I strongly recommend. How about a special offer for the front line workers, Amazon?? What I would have liked more: 1) The sound quality is very good; but when someone around makes a loud conversation or a bit more noise around, I need to press the volume increase button and lower it later. I wish Amazon engineers incorporate some sort sound levelling so the audio quality reaching our ear adjusts with the ambient noise; will help the user a lot of hassle. 2) Battery power is not great; lasts almost a day. I believe Gen 2 is better. (I ordered 2nd one and to use it as sunglasses). I ordered a spare charging cable and keep in my hospital office room lest I lose the chance to charge in case. 3) Would have preferred a bit lighter frame, and thinner sides, though the current one is not that heavy. 4) If they have optional Echo Frames that come with dark glasses of different tint/shade to use as sunglasses, it will be very nice. Especially if they come polarized, with UV protection, scratch guard, antifog etc. 5) Would have preferred a bit lower cost. Say $150 or so. But with the current demand, I doubt Amazon will reduce it!! Hope to get some good deal in Prime Day Sale to gift to someone. A lot of my friends are ordering them too esp those working Covid wards!! 6) Would like to know if they can be cleaned/sterilized with the alcohol wipes or something safe and can be kept in UV-C light boxes. Instructions that came with Echo Frames mention not to use abrasive agents or alcohol, I think. I do keep them in my UV-C sterilizing box daily after my work. So far no issues. Touch wood. 7) I don't like the Echo Frame getting automatically connected to the mobile phone once the charging is over and the charging cable is disconnected. Good if you use the frame immediately but drains the battery if you leave it overnight. Thanks Amazon for bringing out a very useful appliance; a lot more useful than the Echo Dots, and Echo Shows. I tried ordering a smaller size for my wife but they are not available currently. :-(