Oakley to offer 256MB MP3 Thump sunglasses

November 22, 2004

Well, this sounds like a cool idea, but this advertising campaign ain't going to make it cool enogh I'm afraid. The nerd factor completely counteracts the cool, due to a not so stealthy look. However, these shades are intended for only the well heeled, who probably don't care what I think. Why the well heeled you say? How about $495.00 US for the pleasure of strapping the 256 meg version of these puppies to your temples.

Scheduled to be launched November 20th for the 2004 holiday
season, Oakley Thump will be distributed under an exclusive distribution
arrangement with Circuit City Stores, Inc. for the consumer electronics channel.
Thump will also be offered by Oakley's own O Stores, Iacon sunglass specialty
stores, online at Oakley.com and through limited specialty
retailers.

"SigmaTel was a great partner for our creation of the
world's first MP3 player integrated into eyewear. Oakley capitalized on
SigmaTel's small uBGA package, highly integrated chip design, low power
consumption and USB 2.0 to create the most innovative MP3 player on the planet,"
commented Carlos Reyes, Vice President Research and Development of Oakley,
Inc.

Transfer Your Favorite Mix and Go
Right out of the box, OAKLEY THUMP works with most Mac and Windows PCs. No set-up required. No software to install. Pick either platform - or both. And use whatever music library program you want. Load songs from MusicMatch, Windows Media Player, or whatever music library program you want. OAKLEY THUMP is the world's first cross-platform, plug-and-play digital music eyewear.

When you connect OAKLEY THUMP to your computer, it shows up on your desktop. All you have to do is move song files - MP3, WMA or WAV format - with a simple drag and drop. Once the copying is done, you're ready to go. OAKLEY THUMP also supports multiple compression levels, and even variable bit rate (VBR) encoding for MP3 and WMA is supported.

Damn, these people look like they are in pain or something. In fact, everyone on the Oakley website looks like they just stepped on a rusty nail. Maybe someone told them what they paid for the darn things. The guy on top looks like he has molten solder running over his teeth due to a malfuction in the headset!

Anyway, who am I to judge? The technology is great, USB 2.0 connection, so no drivers needed. Mac and Windows support. The 256MB version will hold some 4 hours worth of music and will play for 6 hours on a full charge. PlutoniteÂ® lens material blocks 100% of all UV, and IridiumÂ® lens coatings optimize vision in any light. When it comes to impact resistance OAKLEY THUMP exceeds ANSI Industrial Standards. The 256 meg version also has polarised lenses. Both versions are being offered in seven different colors too. You can save a hundred dollars and get the 128MB version as well. Here are the specs (no pun intended).

Source: Oakley