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CBP Wants AI-Powered ‘Quantum Sensors’ for Finding Fentanyl in Cars

CBP Wants AI-Powered ‘Quantum Sensors’ for Finding Fentanyl in Cars

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United States Customs and Border Protection is paying General Dynamics to create a prototype of “quantum sensors” alongside a “database with artificial intelligence” designed “to detect illicit objects and substances (such as fentanyl) in vehicles, containers, and other devices,” according to a contract justification published in a federal register last week.

“This database and sensor project will integrate advanced quantum and classical sensing technologies with Artificial Intelligence and ultimately deploy proven concepts and end products anywhere in the CBP environment,” the justification document reads. “Under this requirement, CBP will take additional steps to enhance its ability to detect, and thus, significantly reduce the harms of illicit contraband entering the United States of America, thus bolstering national security.”

The document redacts the name of the company developing the prototype; however, contract details included in the federal register entry reveal that the justification is for a $2.4 million General Dynamics contract that has been public since December 2025.

CBP and General Dynamics did not respond to WIRED’s requests for comment.

CBP’s request for a prototype of “quantum sensors” with an AI database—which comes amid a widespread push within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “to support the adoption and scaling of AI technologies,” according to a strategy memorandum published last year—involves a real and growing area of scientific and technological research.

Last week’s justification does not get into detail about which methods its “quantum sensors” would use or what information the AI database would store and analyze. However, it does provide hints about detection methods the agency has considered.

The document claims that CBP conducted market research from April through October of 2025. In July, CBP published an information request seeking a vendor for exactly 35 handheld “Gemini” analyzers, sold by Thermo Fisher Scientific, which are designed to identify unknown chemicals and narcotics.

DHS has also tested the Gemini in previous years, according to reports published in 2021 and 2023. The July request—which notes that the devices would be used to identify substances like fentanyl, ketamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, diazepam, and MDMA—makes no mention of artificial intelligence or a database.

“The detection equipment will be used by CBP Officers in non-intrusive testing to detect a wide range of narcotics, controlled substances, unknown substances, and general organic materials,” the request reads, noting that the agency “continues to seize an increasing number of opioids at the nation’s borders.”

The July request for information claims that the Gemini analyzers use “Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR),” which measures how much infrared light a sample absorbs, and “Raman spectroscopy,” which measures how light scatters off the surface of a sample when a laser is directed at it.

Last week’s contract justification says that the agency found an American company that creates a “handheld analyzer” for identifying dangerous chemicals but claimed it “cannot detect fentanyl.” It’s unclear whether this was referring to Gemini or one of the more than 10 other devices DHS tested in 2021 and 2023. But when reached for comment, Thermo Fisher Scientific said that its Gemini analyzers “are designed to detect fentanyl.”

It’s also unclear whether the General Dynamics prototype may use FTIR or Raman spectroscopy. But a 2024 working paper about a laboratory-based fentanyl-detection method (unrelated to CBP, General Dynamics, or Thermo Fisher Scientific) notes that “portable Raman spectrometers” and other handheld devices—though convenient, fast, and inexpensive—can “struggle with detection of fentanyl” and may be prone to “false-positive and false-negative results.”

While it remains ambiguous what exactly last week’s justification was referring to with its mention of “quantum” sensors, there are fentanyl detection methods based in quantum chemistry. The 2024 paper, for instance, explains how “quantum dots” and fluorescent dye can be used to detect fentanyl and 58 of its analogues.

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#CBP #AIPowered #Quantum #Sensors #Finding #Fentanyl #Cars

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Enco Air 5 Pro as an example. They combined well-balanced audio and strong ANC capabilities into a package that cost ₹4,999. While we still think they are great value, I’d also admit that spending that much isn’t feasible for many budget-conscious buyers. Keeping that in mind, OPPO has just announced the non-Pro version, the Enco Air 5. It follows the same recipe as its bigger brother, with 52dB of ANC and a 54-hour battery life, but trims the price down to just ₹3,099.

So, when OPPO called asking if I’d like to test the Enco Air 5, I said yes, of course. For some context, I have been using the buds for almost a month, during which I’ve taken them to countless gym sessions, gone on evening walks while listening to my favorite music, and even taken them with me to cover an esports tournament in Jaipur. If you can’t be bothered to read the full review, then yes, they are worth the price. Here’s why.

OPPO Enco Air 5 Review

Hisan Kidwai

Summary

Everything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise.

Design & Comfort

OPPO Enco Air 5 Review: The Budget Earbuds Most People Should Buy OPPO’s Enco earbud series has time and again delivered some of the best value devices, and for good reason. Take last month’s Enco Air 5 Pro as an example. They combined well-balanced audio and strong ANC capabilities into a package that cost ₹4,999. While we still think they are great value, I’d also admit that spending that much isn’t feasible for many budget-conscious buyers. Keeping that in mind, OPPO has just announced the non-Pro version, the Enco Air 5. It follows the same recipe as its bigger brother, with 52dB of ANC and a 54-hour battery life, but trims the price down to just ₹3,099. So, when OPPO called asking if I’d like to test the Enco Air 5, I said yes, of course. For some context, I have been using the buds for almost a month, during which I’ve taken them to countless gym sessions, gone on evening walks while listening to my favorite music, and even taken them with me to cover an esports tournament in Jaipur. If you can’t be bothered to read the full review, then yes, they are worth the price. Here’s why. OPPO Enco Air 5 ReviewHisan KidwaiSummaryEverything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise. Design & Comfort What does it take to design a great pair of earbuds? To some brands, it’s about a fun design that stands out amongst others, even if that comes at the cost of comfort. I could name a dozen such earbuds, but the truth is, the ones I keep using after reviews are those that don’t stand out. I don’t care whether you have a brand-new design or a new LED light strip. An earbud needs to be sophisticated yet stylish enough not to look cheap. And no other brand does that better than OPPO. The new Enco Air 5 are no exception. They feature the same oval-shaped case that I have come to love. While the dimensions are almost identical to the 5 Pro, the finish is indeed different. I got the Lavender Purple variant, which I’d say looks quite good. It adds a pop of color in an otherwise bland earbud world. Even though it’s very difficult to put the feel of the finish into words, I’ll try anyway. The finish reminds me of those large chalky medicine tablets. The matte finish is a little rougher than the 5 Pro, and it held up quite well in my regular use. I didn’t see any smudges, nor was there any damage to the case when I dropped it at the airport while taking out my boarding pass. The case can be opened with one hand, and there’s also a satisfying click every time you close the lid. There’s also a physical pairing button, which is always appreciated. As for the earbuds themselves, they are shiny this time around, so a bit more difficult to keep clean. Comfort is a tricky thing to answer, since everyone’s ears are different. My ears are small, so bigger earbuds like the Noise Master Buds 2 were difficult to manage. Fortunately, the Enco Air 5 were not the same. They fit perfectly inside my ear canals, without causing any discomfort. For my 6 AM flight, I put them on before leaving home, and after 4 hours of travel, they were still sitting comfortably. Still, if the regular medium-sized tips are not to your taste, there are several bundled inside the box. So, experiment to find the best fit. The earbuds are also IP55 rated, and survived my gym sessions in the brutal Indian summers just fine. Sound Quality & ANC The Enco Air 5 earbuds come with a 12mm dynamic driver featuring a titanium-coated PET diaphragm, AAC and SBC codecs, and Bluetooth 6.1. During my testing, I used the Ultimate Sound preset, but if that’s not your jam, there are Thundering Bass and Pure Vocals, along with a full equalizer, which we will talk about soon enough. On tracks such as “After Hours,” “The Pina Colada Song,” and “Runaway,” the earbuds sounded very well balanced. The sound tuning is fantastic: the highs don’t feel sharp, the mids/vocals sound very clear, and the lows are there. Don’t get me wrong, you won’t get the rumble of a big headphone, but the Enco Air 5 in the bass boost mode packs a punch. Despite the lack of high-res audio support, I found the instrument separation decent and the soundstage wide enough, though not quite as expansive as on the more expensive Enco Air 5 Pro. If you’d like your instruments placed all around the room, like at a concert, OPPO has its Live Audio feature. It’s not my favorite thing in the world to experience music with, but it works very well to place different elements perfectly around you. I believe the best way to appreciate this is with a movie, and I watched the first episode of Silo season 3 with these connected to my MacBook. The latency was pretty minimal, and the audio was super clean. Even the call quality has been upgraded compared to the previous generation. On the topic of ANC, I was headed to Jaipur to attend a BGMI esports event. If you’ve seen such events, then you’d know they can get loud—really loud. And what better place to test the ANC capabilities of the Enco Air 5? I’ll be straight: you won’t cancel every noise there is, but that doesn’t mean the ANC is bad. In the event, the earbuds suppressed about 80% of the crowd noises, which was great news. On the flight, most of the jet engine rumble was canceled, without any music on. If you do have music running, it’s very easy to cut off the world for a moment of peace. OPPO claims about 13 hours of battery life on a single charge for the earbuds without ANC on and about 6.5 hours with ANC. I can confirm those numbers are accurate, since I got roughly 5.5 hours with ANC turned on at all times. The case provides a couple of extra charges, so the total output should be around 24-25 hours, depending on your use case. Still, battery life is great overall. Controls & Companion App While many people ignore them, controls are a major factor when choosing earbuds. This is because poor controls can be frustrating. Very fortunately, that’s not the case with the Enco Air 5 earbuds. They keep things simple and functional. You get the basics like double-tap to play/pause the music, triple-tap to skip forward/rewind, and tap and hold to turn on ANC. All of these can be customized to your liking using the HeyMelody app on Android and iOS, or just the Bluetooth settings page if you have an OPPO/OnePlus device. The app has always been great, and you also get Spotify Tap. It connects to your Spotify app and plays a song based on your listening habits whenever you tap your earbuds. I’m an Apple Music user, so I couldn’t test it much, but from what I’ve heard, it’s a great addition. Beyond that, there’s Sound Space, a collection of sounds that help you concentrate better or get work done among the annoying people who watch reels at high volume. Finally, there’s a full 10-band equalizer that lets you tune the sound output precisely to your liking. Verdict At ₹3,099, the OPPO Enco Air 5 are another pair of super-easy-to-recommend earbuds. There are no headline features, but everything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise. #OPPO #Enco #Air #Review #Budget #Earbuds #People #BuyOppo

What does it take to design a great pair of earbuds? To some brands, it’s about a fun design that stands out amongst others, even if that comes at the cost of comfort. I could name a dozen such earbuds, but the truth is, the ones I keep using after reviews are those that don’t stand out. I don’t care whether you have a brand-new design or a new LED light strip. An earbud needs to be sophisticated yet stylish enough not to look cheap. And no other brand does that better than OPPO. The new Enco Air 5 are no exception. They feature the same oval-shaped case that I have come to love.

While the dimensions are almost identical to the 5 Pro, the finish is indeed different. I got the Lavender Purple variant, which I’d say looks quite good. It adds a pop of color in an otherwise bland earbud world. Even though it’s very difficult to put the feel of the finish into words, I’ll try anyway. The finish reminds me of those large chalky medicine tablets. The matte finish is a little rougher than the 5 Pro, and it held up quite well in my regular use. I didn’t see any smudges, nor was there any damage to the case when I dropped it at the airport while taking out my boarding pass. The case can be opened with one hand, and there’s also a satisfying click every time you close the lid. There’s also a physical pairing button, which is always appreciated.

A person holding the earbud

As for the earbuds themselves, they are shiny this time around, so a bit more difficult to keep clean. Comfort is a tricky thing to answer, since everyone’s ears are different. My ears are small, so bigger earbuds like the Noise Master Buds 2 were difficult to manage. Fortunately, the Enco Air 5 were not the same. They fit perfectly inside my ear canals, without causing any discomfort. For my 6 AM flight, I put them on before leaving home, and after 4 hours of travel, they were still sitting comfortably.

Still, if the regular medium-sized tips are not to your taste, there are several bundled inside the box. So, experiment to find the best fit. The earbuds are also IP55 rated, and survived my gym sessions in the brutal Indian summers just fine.

Sound Quality & ANC

Different earbuds

The Enco Air 5 earbuds come with a 12mm dynamic driver featuring a titanium-coated PET diaphragm, AAC and SBC codecs, and Bluetooth 6.1. During my testing, I used the Ultimate Sound preset, but if that’s not your jam, there are Thundering Bass and Pure Vocals, along with a full equalizer, which we will talk about soon enough.

On tracks such as “After Hours,” “The Pina Colada Song,” and “Runaway,” the earbuds sounded very well balanced. The sound tuning is fantastic: the highs don’t feel sharp, the mids/vocals sound very clear, and the lows are there. Don’t get me wrong, you won’t get the rumble of a big headphone, but the Enco Air 5 in the bass boost mode packs a punch. Despite the lack of high-res audio support, I found the instrument separation decent and the soundstage wide enough, though not quite as expansive as on the more expensive Enco Air 5 Pro.

If you’d like your instruments placed all around the room, like at a concert, OPPO has its Live Audio feature. It’s not my favorite thing in the world to experience music with, but it works very well to place different elements perfectly around you. I believe the best way to appreciate this is with a movie, and I watched the first episode of Silo season 3 with these connected to my MacBook. The latency was pretty minimal, and the audio was super clean. Even the call quality has been upgraded compared to the previous generation.

Enco Air 5 on a table with the buds out

On the topic of ANC, I was headed to Jaipur to attend a BGMI esports event. If you’ve seen such events, then you’d know they can get loud—really loud. And what better place to test the ANC capabilities of the Enco Air 5? I’ll be straight: you won’t cancel every noise there is, but that doesn’t mean the ANC is bad. In the event, the earbuds suppressed about 80% of the crowd noises, which was great news. On the flight, most of the jet engine rumble was canceled, without any music on. If you do have music running, it’s very easy to cut off the world for a moment of peace.

OPPO claims about 13 hours of battery life on a single charge for the earbuds without ANC on and about 6.5 hours with ANC. I can confirm those numbers are accurate, since I got roughly 5.5 hours with ANC turned on at all times. The case provides a couple of extra charges, so the total output should be around 24-25 hours, depending on your use case. Still, battery life is great overall.

Controls & Companion App

While many people ignore them, controls are a major factor when choosing earbuds. This is because poor controls can be frustrating. Very fortunately, that’s not the case with the Enco Air 5 earbuds. They keep things simple and functional. You get the basics like double-tap to play/pause the music, triple-tap to skip forward/rewind, and tap and hold to turn on ANC.

All of these can be customized to your liking using the HeyMelody app on Android and iOS, or just the Bluetooth settings page if you have an OPPO/OnePlus device. The app has always been great, and you also get Spotify Tap. It connects to your Spotify app and plays a song based on your listening habits whenever you tap your earbuds. I’m an Apple Music user, so I couldn’t test it much, but from what I’ve heard, it’s a great addition. Beyond that, there’s Sound Space, a collection of sounds that help you concentrate better or get work done among the annoying people who watch reels at high volume. Finally, there’s a full 10-band equalizer that lets you tune the sound output precisely to your liking.

Verdict

A person holding the Enco air 5

At ₹3,099, the OPPO Enco Air 5 are another pair of super-easy-to-recommend earbuds. There are no headline features, but everything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise.

#OPPO #Enco #Air #Review #Budget #Earbuds #People #BuyOppo">OPPO Enco Air 5 Review: The Budget Earbuds Most People Should Buy OPPO’s Enco earbud series has time and again delivered some of the best value devices, and for good reason. Take last month’s Enco Air 5 Pro as an example. They combined well-balanced audio and strong ANC capabilities into a package that cost ₹4,999. While we still think they are great value, I’d also admit that spending that much isn’t feasible for many budget-conscious buyers. Keeping that in mind, OPPO has just announced the non-Pro version, the Enco Air 5. It follows the same recipe as its bigger brother, with 52dB of ANC and a 54-hour battery life, but trims the price down to just ₹3,099. So, when OPPO called asking if I’d like to test the Enco Air 5, I said yes, of course. For some context, I have been using the buds for almost a month, during which I’ve taken them to countless gym sessions, gone on evening walks while listening to my favorite music, and even taken them with me to cover an esports tournament in Jaipur. If you can’t be bothered to read the full review, then yes, they are worth the price. Here’s why. OPPO Enco Air 5 ReviewHisan KidwaiSummaryEverything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise. Design & Comfort What does it take to design a great pair of earbuds? To some brands, it’s about a fun design that stands out amongst others, even if that comes at the cost of comfort. I could name a dozen such earbuds, but the truth is, the ones I keep using after reviews are those that don’t stand out. I don’t care whether you have a brand-new design or a new LED light strip. An earbud needs to be sophisticated yet stylish enough not to look cheap. And no other brand does that better than OPPO. The new Enco Air 5 are no exception. They feature the same oval-shaped case that I have come to love. While the dimensions are almost identical to the 5 Pro, the finish is indeed different. I got the Lavender Purple variant, which I’d say looks quite good. It adds a pop of color in an otherwise bland earbud world. Even though it’s very difficult to put the feel of the finish into words, I’ll try anyway. The finish reminds me of those large chalky medicine tablets. The matte finish is a little rougher than the 5 Pro, and it held up quite well in my regular use. I didn’t see any smudges, nor was there any damage to the case when I dropped it at the airport while taking out my boarding pass. The case can be opened with one hand, and there’s also a satisfying click every time you close the lid. There’s also a physical pairing button, which is always appreciated. As for the earbuds themselves, they are shiny this time around, so a bit more difficult to keep clean. Comfort is a tricky thing to answer, since everyone’s ears are different. My ears are small, so bigger earbuds like the Noise Master Buds 2 were difficult to manage. Fortunately, the Enco Air 5 were not the same. They fit perfectly inside my ear canals, without causing any discomfort. For my 6 AM flight, I put them on before leaving home, and after 4 hours of travel, they were still sitting comfortably. Still, if the regular medium-sized tips are not to your taste, there are several bundled inside the box. So, experiment to find the best fit. The earbuds are also IP55 rated, and survived my gym sessions in the brutal Indian summers just fine. Sound Quality & ANC The Enco Air 5 earbuds come with a 12mm dynamic driver featuring a titanium-coated PET diaphragm, AAC and SBC codecs, and Bluetooth 6.1. During my testing, I used the Ultimate Sound preset, but if that’s not your jam, there are Thundering Bass and Pure Vocals, along with a full equalizer, which we will talk about soon enough. On tracks such as “After Hours,” “The Pina Colada Song,” and “Runaway,” the earbuds sounded very well balanced. The sound tuning is fantastic: the highs don’t feel sharp, the mids/vocals sound very clear, and the lows are there. Don’t get me wrong, you won’t get the rumble of a big headphone, but the Enco Air 5 in the bass boost mode packs a punch. Despite the lack of high-res audio support, I found the instrument separation decent and the soundstage wide enough, though not quite as expansive as on the more expensive Enco Air 5 Pro. If you’d like your instruments placed all around the room, like at a concert, OPPO has its Live Audio feature. It’s not my favorite thing in the world to experience music with, but it works very well to place different elements perfectly around you. I believe the best way to appreciate this is with a movie, and I watched the first episode of Silo season 3 with these connected to my MacBook. The latency was pretty minimal, and the audio was super clean. Even the call quality has been upgraded compared to the previous generation. On the topic of ANC, I was headed to Jaipur to attend a BGMI esports event. If you’ve seen such events, then you’d know they can get loud—really loud. And what better place to test the ANC capabilities of the Enco Air 5? I’ll be straight: you won’t cancel every noise there is, but that doesn’t mean the ANC is bad. In the event, the earbuds suppressed about 80% of the crowd noises, which was great news. On the flight, most of the jet engine rumble was canceled, without any music on. If you do have music running, it’s very easy to cut off the world for a moment of peace. OPPO claims about 13 hours of battery life on a single charge for the earbuds without ANC on and about 6.5 hours with ANC. I can confirm those numbers are accurate, since I got roughly 5.5 hours with ANC turned on at all times. The case provides a couple of extra charges, so the total output should be around 24-25 hours, depending on your use case. Still, battery life is great overall. Controls & Companion App While many people ignore them, controls are a major factor when choosing earbuds. This is because poor controls can be frustrating. Very fortunately, that’s not the case with the Enco Air 5 earbuds. They keep things simple and functional. You get the basics like double-tap to play/pause the music, triple-tap to skip forward/rewind, and tap and hold to turn on ANC. All of these can be customized to your liking using the HeyMelody app on Android and iOS, or just the Bluetooth settings page if you have an OPPO/OnePlus device. The app has always been great, and you also get Spotify Tap. It connects to your Spotify app and plays a song based on your listening habits whenever you tap your earbuds. I’m an Apple Music user, so I couldn’t test it much, but from what I’ve heard, it’s a great addition. Beyond that, there’s Sound Space, a collection of sounds that help you concentrate better or get work done among the annoying people who watch reels at high volume. Finally, there’s a full 10-band equalizer that lets you tune the sound output precisely to your liking. Verdict At ₹3,099, the OPPO Enco Air 5 are another pair of super-easy-to-recommend earbuds. There are no headline features, but everything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise. #OPPO #Enco #Air #Review #Budget #Earbuds #People #BuyOppo

as an example. They combined well-balanced audio and strong ANC capabilities into a package that cost ₹4,999. While we still think they are great value, I’d also admit that spending that much isn’t feasible for many budget-conscious buyers. Keeping that in mind, OPPO has just announced the non-Pro version, the Enco Air 5. It follows the same recipe as its bigger brother, with 52dB of ANC and a 54-hour battery life, but trims the price down to just ₹3,099.

So, when OPPO called asking if I’d like to test the Enco Air 5, I said yes, of course. For some context, I have been using the buds for almost a month, during which I’ve taken them to countless gym sessions, gone on evening walks while listening to my favorite music, and even taken them with me to cover an esports tournament in Jaipur. If you can’t be bothered to read the full review, then yes, they are worth the price. Here’s why.

OPPO Enco Air 5 Review

Hisan Kidwai

Summary

Everything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise.

Design & Comfort

OPPO Enco Air 5 Review: The Budget Earbuds Most People Should Buy OPPO’s Enco earbud series has time and again delivered some of the best value devices, and for good reason. Take last month’s Enco Air 5 Pro as an example. They combined well-balanced audio and strong ANC capabilities into a package that cost ₹4,999. While we still think they are great value, I’d also admit that spending that much isn’t feasible for many budget-conscious buyers. Keeping that in mind, OPPO has just announced the non-Pro version, the Enco Air 5. It follows the same recipe as its bigger brother, with 52dB of ANC and a 54-hour battery life, but trims the price down to just ₹3,099. So, when OPPO called asking if I’d like to test the Enco Air 5, I said yes, of course. For some context, I have been using the buds for almost a month, during which I’ve taken them to countless gym sessions, gone on evening walks while listening to my favorite music, and even taken them with me to cover an esports tournament in Jaipur. If you can’t be bothered to read the full review, then yes, they are worth the price. Here’s why. OPPO Enco Air 5 ReviewHisan KidwaiSummaryEverything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise. Design & Comfort What does it take to design a great pair of earbuds? To some brands, it’s about a fun design that stands out amongst others, even if that comes at the cost of comfort. I could name a dozen such earbuds, but the truth is, the ones I keep using after reviews are those that don’t stand out. I don’t care whether you have a brand-new design or a new LED light strip. An earbud needs to be sophisticated yet stylish enough not to look cheap. And no other brand does that better than OPPO. The new Enco Air 5 are no exception. They feature the same oval-shaped case that I have come to love. While the dimensions are almost identical to the 5 Pro, the finish is indeed different. I got the Lavender Purple variant, which I’d say looks quite good. It adds a pop of color in an otherwise bland earbud world. Even though it’s very difficult to put the feel of the finish into words, I’ll try anyway. The finish reminds me of those large chalky medicine tablets. The matte finish is a little rougher than the 5 Pro, and it held up quite well in my regular use. I didn’t see any smudges, nor was there any damage to the case when I dropped it at the airport while taking out my boarding pass. The case can be opened with one hand, and there’s also a satisfying click every time you close the lid. There’s also a physical pairing button, which is always appreciated. As for the earbuds themselves, they are shiny this time around, so a bit more difficult to keep clean. Comfort is a tricky thing to answer, since everyone’s ears are different. My ears are small, so bigger earbuds like the Noise Master Buds 2 were difficult to manage. Fortunately, the Enco Air 5 were not the same. They fit perfectly inside my ear canals, without causing any discomfort. For my 6 AM flight, I put them on before leaving home, and after 4 hours of travel, they were still sitting comfortably. Still, if the regular medium-sized tips are not to your taste, there are several bundled inside the box. So, experiment to find the best fit. The earbuds are also IP55 rated, and survived my gym sessions in the brutal Indian summers just fine. Sound Quality & ANC The Enco Air 5 earbuds come with a 12mm dynamic driver featuring a titanium-coated PET diaphragm, AAC and SBC codecs, and Bluetooth 6.1. During my testing, I used the Ultimate Sound preset, but if that’s not your jam, there are Thundering Bass and Pure Vocals, along with a full equalizer, which we will talk about soon enough. On tracks such as “After Hours,” “The Pina Colada Song,” and “Runaway,” the earbuds sounded very well balanced. The sound tuning is fantastic: the highs don’t feel sharp, the mids/vocals sound very clear, and the lows are there. Don’t get me wrong, you won’t get the rumble of a big headphone, but the Enco Air 5 in the bass boost mode packs a punch. Despite the lack of high-res audio support, I found the instrument separation decent and the soundstage wide enough, though not quite as expansive as on the more expensive Enco Air 5 Pro. If you’d like your instruments placed all around the room, like at a concert, OPPO has its Live Audio feature. It’s not my favorite thing in the world to experience music with, but it works very well to place different elements perfectly around you. I believe the best way to appreciate this is with a movie, and I watched the first episode of Silo season 3 with these connected to my MacBook. The latency was pretty minimal, and the audio was super clean. Even the call quality has been upgraded compared to the previous generation. On the topic of ANC, I was headed to Jaipur to attend a BGMI esports event. If you’ve seen such events, then you’d know they can get loud—really loud. And what better place to test the ANC capabilities of the Enco Air 5? I’ll be straight: you won’t cancel every noise there is, but that doesn’t mean the ANC is bad. In the event, the earbuds suppressed about 80% of the crowd noises, which was great news. On the flight, most of the jet engine rumble was canceled, without any music on. If you do have music running, it’s very easy to cut off the world for a moment of peace. OPPO claims about 13 hours of battery life on a single charge for the earbuds without ANC on and about 6.5 hours with ANC. I can confirm those numbers are accurate, since I got roughly 5.5 hours with ANC turned on at all times. The case provides a couple of extra charges, so the total output should be around 24-25 hours, depending on your use case. Still, battery life is great overall. Controls & Companion App While many people ignore them, controls are a major factor when choosing earbuds. This is because poor controls can be frustrating. Very fortunately, that’s not the case with the Enco Air 5 earbuds. They keep things simple and functional. You get the basics like double-tap to play/pause the music, triple-tap to skip forward/rewind, and tap and hold to turn on ANC. All of these can be customized to your liking using the HeyMelody app on Android and iOS, or just the Bluetooth settings page if you have an OPPO/OnePlus device. The app has always been great, and you also get Spotify Tap. It connects to your Spotify app and plays a song based on your listening habits whenever you tap your earbuds. I’m an Apple Music user, so I couldn’t test it much, but from what I’ve heard, it’s a great addition. Beyond that, there’s Sound Space, a collection of sounds that help you concentrate better or get work done among the annoying people who watch reels at high volume. Finally, there’s a full 10-band equalizer that lets you tune the sound output precisely to your liking. Verdict At ₹3,099, the OPPO Enco Air 5 are another pair of super-easy-to-recommend earbuds. There are no headline features, but everything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise. #OPPO #Enco #Air #Review #Budget #Earbuds #People #BuyOppo

What does it take to design a great pair of earbuds? To some brands, it’s about a fun design that stands out amongst others, even if that comes at the cost of comfort. I could name a dozen such earbuds, but the truth is, the ones I keep using after reviews are those that don’t stand out. I don’t care whether you have a brand-new design or a new LED light strip. An earbud needs to be sophisticated yet stylish enough not to look cheap. And no other brand does that better than OPPO. The new Enco Air 5 are no exception. They feature the same oval-shaped case that I have come to love.

While the dimensions are almost identical to the 5 Pro, the finish is indeed different. I got the Lavender Purple variant, which I’d say looks quite good. It adds a pop of color in an otherwise bland earbud world. Even though it’s very difficult to put the feel of the finish into words, I’ll try anyway. The finish reminds me of those large chalky medicine tablets. The matte finish is a little rougher than the 5 Pro, and it held up quite well in my regular use. I didn’t see any smudges, nor was there any damage to the case when I dropped it at the airport while taking out my boarding pass. The case can be opened with one hand, and there’s also a satisfying click every time you close the lid. There’s also a physical pairing button, which is always appreciated.

A person holding the earbud

As for the earbuds themselves, they are shiny this time around, so a bit more difficult to keep clean. Comfort is a tricky thing to answer, since everyone’s ears are different. My ears are small, so bigger earbuds like the Noise Master Buds 2 were difficult to manage. Fortunately, the Enco Air 5 were not the same. They fit perfectly inside my ear canals, without causing any discomfort. For my 6 AM flight, I put them on before leaving home, and after 4 hours of travel, they were still sitting comfortably.

Still, if the regular medium-sized tips are not to your taste, there are several bundled inside the box. So, experiment to find the best fit. The earbuds are also IP55 rated, and survived my gym sessions in the brutal Indian summers just fine.

Sound Quality & ANC

Different earbuds

The Enco Air 5 earbuds come with a 12mm dynamic driver featuring a titanium-coated PET diaphragm, AAC and SBC codecs, and Bluetooth 6.1. During my testing, I used the Ultimate Sound preset, but if that’s not your jam, there are Thundering Bass and Pure Vocals, along with a full equalizer, which we will talk about soon enough.

On tracks such as “After Hours,” “The Pina Colada Song,” and “Runaway,” the earbuds sounded very well balanced. The sound tuning is fantastic: the highs don’t feel sharp, the mids/vocals sound very clear, and the lows are there. Don’t get me wrong, you won’t get the rumble of a big headphone, but the Enco Air 5 in the bass boost mode packs a punch. Despite the lack of high-res audio support, I found the instrument separation decent and the soundstage wide enough, though not quite as expansive as on the more expensive Enco Air 5 Pro.

If you’d like your instruments placed all around the room, like at a concert, OPPO has its Live Audio feature. It’s not my favorite thing in the world to experience music with, but it works very well to place different elements perfectly around you. I believe the best way to appreciate this is with a movie, and I watched the first episode of Silo season 3 with these connected to my MacBook. The latency was pretty minimal, and the audio was super clean. Even the call quality has been upgraded compared to the previous generation.

Enco Air 5 on a table with the buds out

On the topic of ANC, I was headed to Jaipur to attend a BGMI esports event. If you’ve seen such events, then you’d know they can get loud—really loud. And what better place to test the ANC capabilities of the Enco Air 5? I’ll be straight: you won’t cancel every noise there is, but that doesn’t mean the ANC is bad. In the event, the earbuds suppressed about 80% of the crowd noises, which was great news. On the flight, most of the jet engine rumble was canceled, without any music on. If you do have music running, it’s very easy to cut off the world for a moment of peace.

OPPO claims about 13 hours of battery life on a single charge for the earbuds without ANC on and about 6.5 hours with ANC. I can confirm those numbers are accurate, since I got roughly 5.5 hours with ANC turned on at all times. The case provides a couple of extra charges, so the total output should be around 24-25 hours, depending on your use case. Still, battery life is great overall.

Controls & Companion App

While many people ignore them, controls are a major factor when choosing earbuds. This is because poor controls can be frustrating. Very fortunately, that’s not the case with the Enco Air 5 earbuds. They keep things simple and functional. You get the basics like double-tap to play/pause the music, triple-tap to skip forward/rewind, and tap and hold to turn on ANC.

All of these can be customized to your liking using the HeyMelody app on Android and iOS, or just the Bluetooth settings page if you have an OPPO/OnePlus device. The app has always been great, and you also get Spotify Tap. It connects to your Spotify app and plays a song based on your listening habits whenever you tap your earbuds. I’m an Apple Music user, so I couldn’t test it much, but from what I’ve heard, it’s a great addition. Beyond that, there’s Sound Space, a collection of sounds that help you concentrate better or get work done among the annoying people who watch reels at high volume. Finally, there’s a full 10-band equalizer that lets you tune the sound output precisely to your liking.

Verdict

A person holding the Enco air 5

At ₹3,099, the OPPO Enco Air 5 are another pair of super-easy-to-recommend earbuds. There are no headline features, but everything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise.

#OPPO #Enco #Air #Review #Budget #Earbuds #People #BuyOppo">OPPO Enco Air 5 Review: The Budget Earbuds Most People Should Buy

OPPO’s Enco earbud series has time and again delivered some of the best value devices, and for good reason. Take last month’s Enco Air 5 Pro as an example. They combined well-balanced audio and strong ANC capabilities into a package that cost ₹4,999. While we still think they are great value, I’d also admit that spending that much isn’t feasible for many budget-conscious buyers. Keeping that in mind, OPPO has just announced the non-Pro version, the Enco Air 5. It follows the same recipe as its bigger brother, with 52dB of ANC and a 54-hour battery life, but trims the price down to just ₹3,099.

So, when OPPO called asking if I’d like to test the Enco Air 5, I said yes, of course. For some context, I have been using the buds for almost a month, during which I’ve taken them to countless gym sessions, gone on evening walks while listening to my favorite music, and even taken them with me to cover an esports tournament in Jaipur. If you can’t be bothered to read the full review, then yes, they are worth the price. Here’s why.

OPPO Enco Air 5 Review

Hisan Kidwai

Summary

Everything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise.

Design & Comfort

OPPO Enco Air 5 Review: The Budget Earbuds Most People Should Buy OPPO’s Enco earbud series has time and again delivered some of the best value devices, and for good reason. Take last month’s Enco Air 5 Pro as an example. They combined well-balanced audio and strong ANC capabilities into a package that cost ₹4,999. While we still think they are great value, I’d also admit that spending that much isn’t feasible for many budget-conscious buyers. Keeping that in mind, OPPO has just announced the non-Pro version, the Enco Air 5. It follows the same recipe as its bigger brother, with 52dB of ANC and a 54-hour battery life, but trims the price down to just ₹3,099. So, when OPPO called asking if I’d like to test the Enco Air 5, I said yes, of course. For some context, I have been using the buds for almost a month, during which I’ve taken them to countless gym sessions, gone on evening walks while listening to my favorite music, and even taken them with me to cover an esports tournament in Jaipur. If you can’t be bothered to read the full review, then yes, they are worth the price. Here’s why. OPPO Enco Air 5 ReviewHisan KidwaiSummaryEverything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise. Design & Comfort What does it take to design a great pair of earbuds? To some brands, it’s about a fun design that stands out amongst others, even if that comes at the cost of comfort. I could name a dozen such earbuds, but the truth is, the ones I keep using after reviews are those that don’t stand out. I don’t care whether you have a brand-new design or a new LED light strip. An earbud needs to be sophisticated yet stylish enough not to look cheap. And no other brand does that better than OPPO. The new Enco Air 5 are no exception. They feature the same oval-shaped case that I have come to love. While the dimensions are almost identical to the 5 Pro, the finish is indeed different. I got the Lavender Purple variant, which I’d say looks quite good. It adds a pop of color in an otherwise bland earbud world. Even though it’s very difficult to put the feel of the finish into words, I’ll try anyway. The finish reminds me of those large chalky medicine tablets. The matte finish is a little rougher than the 5 Pro, and it held up quite well in my regular use. I didn’t see any smudges, nor was there any damage to the case when I dropped it at the airport while taking out my boarding pass. The case can be opened with one hand, and there’s also a satisfying click every time you close the lid. There’s also a physical pairing button, which is always appreciated. As for the earbuds themselves, they are shiny this time around, so a bit more difficult to keep clean. Comfort is a tricky thing to answer, since everyone’s ears are different. My ears are small, so bigger earbuds like the Noise Master Buds 2 were difficult to manage. Fortunately, the Enco Air 5 were not the same. They fit perfectly inside my ear canals, without causing any discomfort. For my 6 AM flight, I put them on before leaving home, and after 4 hours of travel, they were still sitting comfortably. Still, if the regular medium-sized tips are not to your taste, there are several bundled inside the box. So, experiment to find the best fit. The earbuds are also IP55 rated, and survived my gym sessions in the brutal Indian summers just fine. Sound Quality & ANC The Enco Air 5 earbuds come with a 12mm dynamic driver featuring a titanium-coated PET diaphragm, AAC and SBC codecs, and Bluetooth 6.1. During my testing, I used the Ultimate Sound preset, but if that’s not your jam, there are Thundering Bass and Pure Vocals, along with a full equalizer, which we will talk about soon enough. On tracks such as “After Hours,” “The Pina Colada Song,” and “Runaway,” the earbuds sounded very well balanced. The sound tuning is fantastic: the highs don’t feel sharp, the mids/vocals sound very clear, and the lows are there. Don’t get me wrong, you won’t get the rumble of a big headphone, but the Enco Air 5 in the bass boost mode packs a punch. Despite the lack of high-res audio support, I found the instrument separation decent and the soundstage wide enough, though not quite as expansive as on the more expensive Enco Air 5 Pro. If you’d like your instruments placed all around the room, like at a concert, OPPO has its Live Audio feature. It’s not my favorite thing in the world to experience music with, but it works very well to place different elements perfectly around you. I believe the best way to appreciate this is with a movie, and I watched the first episode of Silo season 3 with these connected to my MacBook. The latency was pretty minimal, and the audio was super clean. Even the call quality has been upgraded compared to the previous generation. On the topic of ANC, I was headed to Jaipur to attend a BGMI esports event. If you’ve seen such events, then you’d know they can get loud—really loud. And what better place to test the ANC capabilities of the Enco Air 5? I’ll be straight: you won’t cancel every noise there is, but that doesn’t mean the ANC is bad. In the event, the earbuds suppressed about 80% of the crowd noises, which was great news. On the flight, most of the jet engine rumble was canceled, without any music on. If you do have music running, it’s very easy to cut off the world for a moment of peace. OPPO claims about 13 hours of battery life on a single charge for the earbuds without ANC on and about 6.5 hours with ANC. I can confirm those numbers are accurate, since I got roughly 5.5 hours with ANC turned on at all times. The case provides a couple of extra charges, so the total output should be around 24-25 hours, depending on your use case. Still, battery life is great overall. Controls & Companion App While many people ignore them, controls are a major factor when choosing earbuds. This is because poor controls can be frustrating. Very fortunately, that’s not the case with the Enco Air 5 earbuds. They keep things simple and functional. You get the basics like double-tap to play/pause the music, triple-tap to skip forward/rewind, and tap and hold to turn on ANC. All of these can be customized to your liking using the HeyMelody app on Android and iOS, or just the Bluetooth settings page if you have an OPPO/OnePlus device. The app has always been great, and you also get Spotify Tap. It connects to your Spotify app and plays a song based on your listening habits whenever you tap your earbuds. I’m an Apple Music user, so I couldn’t test it much, but from what I’ve heard, it’s a great addition. Beyond that, there’s Sound Space, a collection of sounds that help you concentrate better or get work done among the annoying people who watch reels at high volume. Finally, there’s a full 10-band equalizer that lets you tune the sound output precisely to your liking. Verdict At ₹3,099, the OPPO Enco Air 5 are another pair of super-easy-to-recommend earbuds. There are no headline features, but everything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise. #OPPO #Enco #Air #Review #Budget #Earbuds #People #BuyOppo

What does it take to design a great pair of earbuds? To some brands, it’s about a fun design that stands out amongst others, even if that comes at the cost of comfort. I could name a dozen such earbuds, but the truth is, the ones I keep using after reviews are those that don’t stand out. I don’t care whether you have a brand-new design or a new LED light strip. An earbud needs to be sophisticated yet stylish enough not to look cheap. And no other brand does that better than OPPO. The new Enco Air 5 are no exception. They feature the same oval-shaped case that I have come to love.

While the dimensions are almost identical to the 5 Pro, the finish is indeed different. I got the Lavender Purple variant, which I’d say looks quite good. It adds a pop of color in an otherwise bland earbud world. Even though it’s very difficult to put the feel of the finish into words, I’ll try anyway. The finish reminds me of those large chalky medicine tablets. The matte finish is a little rougher than the 5 Pro, and it held up quite well in my regular use. I didn’t see any smudges, nor was there any damage to the case when I dropped it at the airport while taking out my boarding pass. The case can be opened with one hand, and there’s also a satisfying click every time you close the lid. There’s also a physical pairing button, which is always appreciated.

A person holding the earbud

As for the earbuds themselves, they are shiny this time around, so a bit more difficult to keep clean. Comfort is a tricky thing to answer, since everyone’s ears are different. My ears are small, so bigger earbuds like the Noise Master Buds 2 were difficult to manage. Fortunately, the Enco Air 5 were not the same. They fit perfectly inside my ear canals, without causing any discomfort. For my 6 AM flight, I put them on before leaving home, and after 4 hours of travel, they were still sitting comfortably.

Still, if the regular medium-sized tips are not to your taste, there are several bundled inside the box. So, experiment to find the best fit. The earbuds are also IP55 rated, and survived my gym sessions in the brutal Indian summers just fine.

Sound Quality & ANC

Different earbuds

The Enco Air 5 earbuds come with a 12mm dynamic driver featuring a titanium-coated PET diaphragm, AAC and SBC codecs, and Bluetooth 6.1. During my testing, I used the Ultimate Sound preset, but if that’s not your jam, there are Thundering Bass and Pure Vocals, along with a full equalizer, which we will talk about soon enough.

On tracks such as “After Hours,” “The Pina Colada Song,” and “Runaway,” the earbuds sounded very well balanced. The sound tuning is fantastic: the highs don’t feel sharp, the mids/vocals sound very clear, and the lows are there. Don’t get me wrong, you won’t get the rumble of a big headphone, but the Enco Air 5 in the bass boost mode packs a punch. Despite the lack of high-res audio support, I found the instrument separation decent and the soundstage wide enough, though not quite as expansive as on the more expensive Enco Air 5 Pro.

If you’d like your instruments placed all around the room, like at a concert, OPPO has its Live Audio feature. It’s not my favorite thing in the world to experience music with, but it works very well to place different elements perfectly around you. I believe the best way to appreciate this is with a movie, and I watched the first episode of Silo season 3 with these connected to my MacBook. The latency was pretty minimal, and the audio was super clean. Even the call quality has been upgraded compared to the previous generation.

Enco Air 5 on a table with the buds out

On the topic of ANC, I was headed to Jaipur to attend a BGMI esports event. If you’ve seen such events, then you’d know they can get loud—really loud. And what better place to test the ANC capabilities of the Enco Air 5? I’ll be straight: you won’t cancel every noise there is, but that doesn’t mean the ANC is bad. In the event, the earbuds suppressed about 80% of the crowd noises, which was great news. On the flight, most of the jet engine rumble was canceled, without any music on. If you do have music running, it’s very easy to cut off the world for a moment of peace.

OPPO claims about 13 hours of battery life on a single charge for the earbuds without ANC on and about 6.5 hours with ANC. I can confirm those numbers are accurate, since I got roughly 5.5 hours with ANC turned on at all times. The case provides a couple of extra charges, so the total output should be around 24-25 hours, depending on your use case. Still, battery life is great overall.

Controls & Companion App

While many people ignore them, controls are a major factor when choosing earbuds. This is because poor controls can be frustrating. Very fortunately, that’s not the case with the Enco Air 5 earbuds. They keep things simple and functional. You get the basics like double-tap to play/pause the music, triple-tap to skip forward/rewind, and tap and hold to turn on ANC.

All of these can be customized to your liking using the HeyMelody app on Android and iOS, or just the Bluetooth settings page if you have an OPPO/OnePlus device. The app has always been great, and you also get Spotify Tap. It connects to your Spotify app and plays a song based on your listening habits whenever you tap your earbuds. I’m an Apple Music user, so I couldn’t test it much, but from what I’ve heard, it’s a great addition. Beyond that, there’s Sound Space, a collection of sounds that help you concentrate better or get work done among the annoying people who watch reels at high volume. Finally, there’s a full 10-band equalizer that lets you tune the sound output precisely to your liking.

Verdict

A person holding the Enco air 5

At ₹3,099, the OPPO Enco Air 5 are another pair of super-easy-to-recommend earbuds. There are no headline features, but everything about the Enco Air 5 feels well balanced. The design is understated yet premium, the comfort is good enough for hours of use, and the companion app is packed with genuinely useful features. The sound tuning gives every part of a track room to breathe without letting one frequency overpower another. Even the ANC does a commendable job of cutting out everyday noise.

#OPPO #Enco #Air #Review #Budget #Earbuds #People #BuyOppo
Dan Da Dan anime studio Science SARU’s adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell is finally streaming on Prime Video, and its pilot episode looks like a ’90s anime fever dream in the best way possible. Major Motoko Kusanagi kicks all the ass, its soundtrack is a bop, and its action sequences are a chef’s kiss. Don’t just take our word for it; check out the trailer below and see for yourself how Science SARU cooked once again.

Ahead of its premiere, io9 got to chat with director Mokochan and character designer Shuhei Handa at Anime Expo about how their vision for Masamune Shirow’s seminal cyberpunk manga came to be, as well as a couple of pointed fandom-centric questions for fans who’ve been dying to see Major Motoko Kusanagi realized in all her goofy glory. 

‘The Ghost in the Shell’ Director, Character Designer on Keeping Motoko True to the Manga Dan Da Dan anime studio Science SARU’s adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell is finally streaming on Prime Video, and its pilot episode looks like a ’90s anime fever dream in the best way possible. Major Motoko Kusanagi kicks all the ass, its soundtrack is a bop, and its action sequences are a chef’s kiss. Don’t just take our word for it; check out the trailer below and see for yourself how Science SARU cooked once again. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahZn4dVCbvs[/embed] Ahead of its premiere, io9 got to chat with director Mokochan and character designer Shuhei Handa at Anime Expo about how their vision for Masamune Shirow’s seminal cyberpunk manga came to be, as well as a couple of pointed fandom-centric questions for fans who’ve been dying to see Major Motoko Kusanagi realized in all her goofy glory.  Left: Shuhei Handa, right: Mokochan. © Isaiah Colbert/io9 This interview was edited for clarity.  Isaiah Colbert, io9: From Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Devilman Crybaby, Inu-Oh, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and Dan Da Dan to Sanda and Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, Science SARU has built an impressive portfolio and reputation for making bold, expressive, and experimental anime. What about The Ghost in the Shell made it feel like a natural fit as the studio’s next project? Mokochan: For all of the works done by Science SARU, using animation to do storytelling is very important. That’s why we use a lot of hand-drawn animation in it. For The Ghost in the Shell, the most important thing is to use the visuals to capture its world. It’s the same policy with other series as well. TVアニメ「#攻殻機動隊 THE GHOST IN THE SHELL」⋱ご視聴ありがとうございました⋰ ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢ 第01話より草薙素子と荒巻大輔の出会い 👩🏻 🐵迫力の原画を大公開！ 原画｜小島崇史 さん ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢https://t.co/wICYD3OlUm pic.twitter.com/6rNlJdXZZk — サイエンスSARU (@sciencesaru) July 7, 2026 io9: From the jump, The Ghost in the Shell marks a stark tonal shift—a return—towards Masamune Shirow’s lighter, more mischievous vision of the cyberpunk epic. What led Science SARU to pivot away from the austere, military tone that Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 film would go on to cement as the franchise’s vibe for decades? Mokochan: We didn’t intentionally try to change the tone from how director Mamoru Oshii did previously because the concept for making this new series is to base it on the original manga, so we already had our own way of making this one. © Masamune Shirow/Kodansha io9: In an era when people often use AI to cheaply mimic retro anime aesthetics, the new Ghost in the Shell feels like a deliberate rejection of AI’s pervasiveness in the arts—where every frame in the trailers looks unmistakably hand‑crafted. It’s a phenomenon that’s certainly paradoxical, considering that the manga prophesied how such technologies would be utilized in the not-so-far-off year of 2029. What’s Science SARU’s stance on AI, and what specific animation techniques did it use most to capture the show’s aesthetic through the power of collective human artistry? Mokochan: One of the concepts of the original manga is about the mysterious part of the human being. So we wanted to honor how the original creator captured the world and how we express all of the story in the original manga. So we wanted to follow the same concept using the same method to show humanity by using hand-drawn art. We prefer to just use our arms to draw all of the animation. Handa: It’s because the main concept is about the human body, so that’s why we prefer hand-drawn art over AI. © Science SARU io9: Major Kusanagi has long been read as a bisexual icon in the West, especially because of Shirow’s famous island-escapade chapter with her gal pals, which has been lost in some Western reprints of the original manga. She’s also considerably goofier in the manga, a trait fans lovingly call a “bisexual disaster.” In what ways was it important for Science SARU to depict Kusanagi’s inherent goofball nature and her queerness in this adaptation, and what does portraying that side of her mean for a global audience in 2026? Mokochan: During the process of making the new series, we were actually very surprised by it because, compared to the original manga, a lot of the thoughts about sexuality are very advanced, exploring many possibilities. It’s not just about sexuality; it’s also about the human being, technology, and many other things. [The manga] accepts everything in the world. That was a very big surprise. We didn’t intend to modernize the content to make it fit the new era. © Science SARU [The Ghost in the Shell producers’ note in regard to Science SARU’s adaptation of Motoko’s vacation scene from the original manga: “We had to adjust the depictions in the original work to match the rating.”] Handa: When we portray Kusanagi’s character, we like to bring out all the comical parts because they’re in the original manga. It’s kind of different how director Oshii portrays her in the previous series because, in those series, Kusanagi was not that expressive. We prefer to keep the authentic parts of the original manga, so we thought we definitely needed to keep the comical parts in the character, so that’s why we included that content. © Science SARU © Science SARU © Science SARU © Science SARU io9: As a fan of the series, I’ve seen Ghost in the Shell go through different iterations, reinterpretations, and reboots. And in that, Motoko’s design has changed in a way that reflects how different people interpret her. But while her outer shell is different, the themes—the ghost in the original story—remain in each adaptation. For Science SARU’s newer adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell, which themes from the original manga feel more prescient now than when it first came out? Mokochan: Because the original intent of this project is to follow the original manga—not just Kusanagi, but also all the content and the world’s concept—we didn’t try to modernize any part of it. The creative team, all of whom are also big fans of the original manga. So, for the world, the story, the characters, and the theme, it’s all the same because we want to honor the original manga. ｳｵｵｵ攻殻機動隊1話にLOと作画監督で参加させていただきました！憧れの攻殻機動隊に関わることができて感激です🔥LOはセンターの子供が撃たれるあたりから脱走するところまで、作監は冒頭からOP前あたりまでです。少佐かっこよくて可愛かった〜！こちら担当LOのうちの1カットです🙏🏻#攻殻機動隊 pic.twitter.com/zUlxgD9fin — 宮かなえ (@miyakanae_) July 7, 2026 The Ghost in the Shell is streaming now on Prime Video. io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #Ghost #Shell #Director #Character #Designer #Keeping #Motoko #True #MangaAnime,Anime Expo,Science Saru,The Ghost in the Shell
Left: Shuhei Handa, right: Mokochan. © Isaiah Colbert/io9

This interview was edited for clarity. 

Isaiah Colbert, io9: From Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Devilman Crybaby, Inu-Oh, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and Dan Da Dan to Sanda and Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, Science SARU has built an impressive portfolio and reputation for making bold, expressive, and experimental anime. What about The Ghost in the Shell made it feel like a natural fit as the studio’s next project?

Mokochan: For all of the works done by Science SARU, using animation to do storytelling is very important. That’s why we use a lot of hand-drawn animation in it. For The Ghost in the Shell, the most important thing is to use the visuals to capture its world. It’s the same policy with other series as well.

io9: From the jump, The Ghost in the Shell marks a stark tonal shift—a return—towards Masamune Shirow’s lighter, more mischievous vision of the cyberpunk epic. What led Science SARU to pivot away from the austere, military tone that Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 film would go on to cement as the franchise’s vibe for decades?

Mokochan: We didn’t intentionally try to change the tone from how director Mamoru Oshii did previously because the concept for making this new series is to base it on the original manga, so we already had our own way of making this one.

Ghost In The Shell Shirow Masamune Kodansha (1)
© Masamune Shirow/Kodansha

io9: In an era when people often use AI to cheaply mimic retro anime aesthetics, the new Ghost in the Shell feels like a deliberate rejection of AI’s pervasiveness in the arts—where every frame in the trailers looks unmistakably hand‑crafted. It’s a phenomenon that’s certainly paradoxical, considering that the manga prophesied how such technologies would be utilized in the not-so-far-off year of 2029. What’s Science SARU’s stance on AI, and what specific animation techniques did it use most to capture the show’s aesthetic through the power of collective human artistry?

Mokochan: One of the concepts of the original manga is about the mysterious part of the human being. So we wanted to honor how the original creator captured the world and how we express all of the story in the original manga. So we wanted to follow the same concept using the same method to show humanity by using hand-drawn art. We prefer to just use our arms to draw all of the animation.

Handa: It’s because the main concept is about the human body, so that’s why we prefer hand-drawn art over AI.

The Ghost In The Shell image of Motoko Kusanagi.
© Science SARU

io9: Major Kusanagi has long been read as a bisexual icon in the West, especially because of Shirow’s famous island-escapade chapter with her gal pals, which has been lost in some Western reprints of the original manga. She’s also considerably goofier in the manga, a trait fans lovingly call a “bisexual disaster.” In what ways was it important for Science SARU to depict Kusanagi’s inherent goofball nature and her queerness in this adaptation, and what does portraying that side of her mean for a global audience in 2026?

Mokochan: During the process of making the new series, we were actually very surprised by it because, compared to the original manga, a lot of the thoughts about sexuality are very advanced, exploring many possibilities. It’s not just about sexuality; it’s also about the human being, technology, and many other things. [The manga] accepts everything in the world. That was a very big surprise. We didn’t intend to modernize the content to make it fit the new era.

The Ghost In The Shell still of Kusanagi kissing a woman.
© Science SARU

[The Ghost in the Shell producers’ note in regard to Science SARU’s adaptation of Motoko’s vacation scene from the original manga: “We had to adjust the depictions in the original work to match the rating.”]

Handa: When we portray Kusanagi’s character, we like to bring out all the comical parts because they’re in the original manga. It’s kind of different how director Oshii portrays her in the previous series because, in those series, Kusanagi was not that expressive. We prefer to keep the authentic parts of the original manga, so we thought we definitely needed to keep the comical parts in the character, so that’s why we included that content.

io9: As a fan of the series, I’ve seen Ghost in the Shell go through different iterations, reinterpretations, and reboots. And in that, Motoko’s design has changed in a way that reflects how different people interpret her. But while her outer shell is different, the themes—the ghost in the original story—remain in each adaptation. For Science SARU’s newer adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell, which themes from the original manga feel more prescient now than when it first came out?

Mokochan: Because the original intent of this project is to follow the original manga—not just Kusanagi, but also all the content and the world’s concept—we didn’t try to modernize any part of it. The creative team, all of whom are also big fans of the original manga. So, for the world, the story, the characters, and the theme, it’s all the same because we want to honor the original manga.

The Ghost in the Shell is streaming now on Prime Video.

io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Ghost #Shell #Director #Character #Designer #Keeping #Motoko #True #MangaAnime,Anime Expo,Science Saru,The Ghost in the Shell">‘The Ghost in the Shell’ Director, Character Designer on Keeping Motoko True to the Manga Dan Da Dan anime studio Science SARU’s adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell is finally streaming on Prime Video, and its pilot episode looks like a ’90s anime fever dream in the best way possible. Major Motoko Kusanagi kicks all the ass, its soundtrack is a bop, and its action sequences are a chef’s kiss. Don’t just take our word for it; check out the trailer below and see for yourself how Science SARU cooked once again. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahZn4dVCbvs[/embed] Ahead of its premiere, io9 got to chat with director Mokochan and character designer Shuhei Handa at Anime Expo about how their vision for Masamune Shirow’s seminal cyberpunk manga came to be, as well as a couple of pointed fandom-centric questions for fans who’ve been dying to see Major Motoko Kusanagi realized in all her goofy glory.  Left: Shuhei Handa, right: Mokochan. © Isaiah Colbert/io9 This interview was edited for clarity.  Isaiah Colbert, io9: From Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Devilman Crybaby, Inu-Oh, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and Dan Da Dan to Sanda and Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, Science SARU has built an impressive portfolio and reputation for making bold, expressive, and experimental anime. What about The Ghost in the Shell made it feel like a natural fit as the studio’s next project? Mokochan: For all of the works done by Science SARU, using animation to do storytelling is very important. That’s why we use a lot of hand-drawn animation in it. For The Ghost in the Shell, the most important thing is to use the visuals to capture its world. It’s the same policy with other series as well. TVアニメ「#攻殻機動隊 THE GHOST IN THE SHELL」⋱ご視聴ありがとうございました⋰ ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢ 第01話より草薙素子と荒巻大輔の出会い 👩🏻 🐵迫力の原画を大公開！ 原画｜小島崇史 さん ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢https://t.co/wICYD3OlUm pic.twitter.com/6rNlJdXZZk — サイエンスSARU (@sciencesaru) July 7, 2026 io9: From the jump, The Ghost in the Shell marks a stark tonal shift—a return—towards Masamune Shirow’s lighter, more mischievous vision of the cyberpunk epic. What led Science SARU to pivot away from the austere, military tone that Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 film would go on to cement as the franchise’s vibe for decades? Mokochan: We didn’t intentionally try to change the tone from how director Mamoru Oshii did previously because the concept for making this new series is to base it on the original manga, so we already had our own way of making this one. © Masamune Shirow/Kodansha io9: In an era when people often use AI to cheaply mimic retro anime aesthetics, the new Ghost in the Shell feels like a deliberate rejection of AI’s pervasiveness in the arts—where every frame in the trailers looks unmistakably hand‑crafted. It’s a phenomenon that’s certainly paradoxical, considering that the manga prophesied how such technologies would be utilized in the not-so-far-off year of 2029. What’s Science SARU’s stance on AI, and what specific animation techniques did it use most to capture the show’s aesthetic through the power of collective human artistry? Mokochan: One of the concepts of the original manga is about the mysterious part of the human being. So we wanted to honor how the original creator captured the world and how we express all of the story in the original manga. So we wanted to follow the same concept using the same method to show humanity by using hand-drawn art. We prefer to just use our arms to draw all of the animation. Handa: It’s because the main concept is about the human body, so that’s why we prefer hand-drawn art over AI. © Science SARU io9: Major Kusanagi has long been read as a bisexual icon in the West, especially because of Shirow’s famous island-escapade chapter with her gal pals, which has been lost in some Western reprints of the original manga. She’s also considerably goofier in the manga, a trait fans lovingly call a “bisexual disaster.” In what ways was it important for Science SARU to depict Kusanagi’s inherent goofball nature and her queerness in this adaptation, and what does portraying that side of her mean for a global audience in 2026? Mokochan: During the process of making the new series, we were actually very surprised by it because, compared to the original manga, a lot of the thoughts about sexuality are very advanced, exploring many possibilities. It’s not just about sexuality; it’s also about the human being, technology, and many other things. [The manga] accepts everything in the world. That was a very big surprise. We didn’t intend to modernize the content to make it fit the new era. © Science SARU [The Ghost in the Shell producers’ note in regard to Science SARU’s adaptation of Motoko’s vacation scene from the original manga: “We had to adjust the depictions in the original work to match the rating.”] Handa: When we portray Kusanagi’s character, we like to bring out all the comical parts because they’re in the original manga. It’s kind of different how director Oshii portrays her in the previous series because, in those series, Kusanagi was not that expressive. We prefer to keep the authentic parts of the original manga, so we thought we definitely needed to keep the comical parts in the character, so that’s why we included that content. © Science SARU © Science SARU © Science SARU © Science SARU io9: As a fan of the series, I’ve seen Ghost in the Shell go through different iterations, reinterpretations, and reboots. And in that, Motoko’s design has changed in a way that reflects how different people interpret her. But while her outer shell is different, the themes—the ghost in the original story—remain in each adaptation. For Science SARU’s newer adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell, which themes from the original manga feel more prescient now than when it first came out? Mokochan: Because the original intent of this project is to follow the original manga—not just Kusanagi, but also all the content and the world’s concept—we didn’t try to modernize any part of it. The creative team, all of whom are also big fans of the original manga. So, for the world, the story, the characters, and the theme, it’s all the same because we want to honor the original manga. ｳｵｵｵ攻殻機動隊1話にLOと作画監督で参加させていただきました！憧れの攻殻機動隊に関わることができて感激です🔥LOはセンターの子供が撃たれるあたりから脱走するところまで、作監は冒頭からOP前あたりまでです。少佐かっこよくて可愛かった〜！こちら担当LOのうちの1カットです🙏🏻#攻殻機動隊 pic.twitter.com/zUlxgD9fin — 宮かなえ (@miyakanae_) July 7, 2026 The Ghost in the Shell is streaming now on Prime Video. io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #Ghost #Shell #Director #Character #Designer #Keeping #Motoko #True #MangaAnime,Anime Expo,Science Saru,The Ghost in the Shell

 anime studio Science SARU’s adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell is finally streaming on Prime Video, and its pilot episode looks like a ’90s anime fever dream in the best way possible. Major Motoko Kusanagi kicks all the ass, its soundtrack is a bop, and its action sequences are a chef’s kiss. Don’t just take our word for it; check out the trailer below and see for yourself how Science SARU cooked once again.

Ahead of its premiere, io9 got to chat with director Mokochan and character designer Shuhei Handa at Anime Expo about how their vision for Masamune Shirow’s seminal cyberpunk manga came to be, as well as a couple of pointed fandom-centric questions for fans who’ve been dying to see Major Motoko Kusanagi realized in all her goofy glory. 

‘The Ghost in the Shell’ Director, Character Designer on Keeping Motoko True to the Manga Dan Da Dan anime studio Science SARU’s adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell is finally streaming on Prime Video, and its pilot episode looks like a ’90s anime fever dream in the best way possible. Major Motoko Kusanagi kicks all the ass, its soundtrack is a bop, and its action sequences are a chef’s kiss. Don’t just take our word for it; check out the trailer below and see for yourself how Science SARU cooked once again. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahZn4dVCbvs[/embed] Ahead of its premiere, io9 got to chat with director Mokochan and character designer Shuhei Handa at Anime Expo about how their vision for Masamune Shirow’s seminal cyberpunk manga came to be, as well as a couple of pointed fandom-centric questions for fans who’ve been dying to see Major Motoko Kusanagi realized in all her goofy glory.  Left: Shuhei Handa, right: Mokochan. © Isaiah Colbert/io9 This interview was edited for clarity.  Isaiah Colbert, io9: From Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Devilman Crybaby, Inu-Oh, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and Dan Da Dan to Sanda and Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, Science SARU has built an impressive portfolio and reputation for making bold, expressive, and experimental anime. What about The Ghost in the Shell made it feel like a natural fit as the studio’s next project? Mokochan: For all of the works done by Science SARU, using animation to do storytelling is very important. That’s why we use a lot of hand-drawn animation in it. For The Ghost in the Shell, the most important thing is to use the visuals to capture its world. It’s the same policy with other series as well. TVアニメ「#攻殻機動隊 THE GHOST IN THE SHELL」⋱ご視聴ありがとうございました⋰ ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢ 第01話より草薙素子と荒巻大輔の出会い 👩🏻 🐵迫力の原画を大公開！ 原画｜小島崇史 さん ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢https://t.co/wICYD3OlUm pic.twitter.com/6rNlJdXZZk — サイエンスSARU (@sciencesaru) July 7, 2026 io9: From the jump, The Ghost in the Shell marks a stark tonal shift—a return—towards Masamune Shirow’s lighter, more mischievous vision of the cyberpunk epic. What led Science SARU to pivot away from the austere, military tone that Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 film would go on to cement as the franchise’s vibe for decades? Mokochan: We didn’t intentionally try to change the tone from how director Mamoru Oshii did previously because the concept for making this new series is to base it on the original manga, so we already had our own way of making this one. © Masamune Shirow/Kodansha io9: In an era when people often use AI to cheaply mimic retro anime aesthetics, the new Ghost in the Shell feels like a deliberate rejection of AI’s pervasiveness in the arts—where every frame in the trailers looks unmistakably hand‑crafted. It’s a phenomenon that’s certainly paradoxical, considering that the manga prophesied how such technologies would be utilized in the not-so-far-off year of 2029. What’s Science SARU’s stance on AI, and what specific animation techniques did it use most to capture the show’s aesthetic through the power of collective human artistry? Mokochan: One of the concepts of the original manga is about the mysterious part of the human being. So we wanted to honor how the original creator captured the world and how we express all of the story in the original manga. So we wanted to follow the same concept using the same method to show humanity by using hand-drawn art. We prefer to just use our arms to draw all of the animation. Handa: It’s because the main concept is about the human body, so that’s why we prefer hand-drawn art over AI. © Science SARU io9: Major Kusanagi has long been read as a bisexual icon in the West, especially because of Shirow’s famous island-escapade chapter with her gal pals, which has been lost in some Western reprints of the original manga. She’s also considerably goofier in the manga, a trait fans lovingly call a “bisexual disaster.” In what ways was it important for Science SARU to depict Kusanagi’s inherent goofball nature and her queerness in this adaptation, and what does portraying that side of her mean for a global audience in 2026? Mokochan: During the process of making the new series, we were actually very surprised by it because, compared to the original manga, a lot of the thoughts about sexuality are very advanced, exploring many possibilities. It’s not just about sexuality; it’s also about the human being, technology, and many other things. [The manga] accepts everything in the world. That was a very big surprise. We didn’t intend to modernize the content to make it fit the new era. © Science SARU [The Ghost in the Shell producers’ note in regard to Science SARU’s adaptation of Motoko’s vacation scene from the original manga: “We had to adjust the depictions in the original work to match the rating.”] Handa: When we portray Kusanagi’s character, we like to bring out all the comical parts because they’re in the original manga. It’s kind of different how director Oshii portrays her in the previous series because, in those series, Kusanagi was not that expressive. We prefer to keep the authentic parts of the original manga, so we thought we definitely needed to keep the comical parts in the character, so that’s why we included that content. © Science SARU © Science SARU © Science SARU © Science SARU io9: As a fan of the series, I’ve seen Ghost in the Shell go through different iterations, reinterpretations, and reboots. And in that, Motoko’s design has changed in a way that reflects how different people interpret her. But while her outer shell is different, the themes—the ghost in the original story—remain in each adaptation. For Science SARU’s newer adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell, which themes from the original manga feel more prescient now than when it first came out? Mokochan: Because the original intent of this project is to follow the original manga—not just Kusanagi, but also all the content and the world’s concept—we didn’t try to modernize any part of it. The creative team, all of whom are also big fans of the original manga. So, for the world, the story, the characters, and the theme, it’s all the same because we want to honor the original manga. ｳｵｵｵ攻殻機動隊1話にLOと作画監督で参加させていただきました！憧れの攻殻機動隊に関わることができて感激です🔥LOはセンターの子供が撃たれるあたりから脱走するところまで、作監は冒頭からOP前あたりまでです。少佐かっこよくて可愛かった〜！こちら担当LOのうちの1カットです🙏🏻#攻殻機動隊 pic.twitter.com/zUlxgD9fin — 宮かなえ (@miyakanae_) July 7, 2026 The Ghost in the Shell is streaming now on Prime Video. io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #Ghost #Shell #Director #Character #Designer #Keeping #Motoko #True #MangaAnime,Anime Expo,Science Saru,The Ghost in the Shell
Left: Shuhei Handa, right: Mokochan. © Isaiah Colbert/io9

This interview was edited for clarity. 

Isaiah Colbert, io9: From Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Devilman Crybaby, Inu-Oh, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and Dan Da Dan to Sanda and Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, Science SARU has built an impressive portfolio and reputation for making bold, expressive, and experimental anime. What about The Ghost in the Shell made it feel like a natural fit as the studio’s next project?

Mokochan: For all of the works done by Science SARU, using animation to do storytelling is very important. That’s why we use a lot of hand-drawn animation in it. For The Ghost in the Shell, the most important thing is to use the visuals to capture its world. It’s the same policy with other series as well.

io9: From the jump, The Ghost in the Shell marks a stark tonal shift—a return—towards Masamune Shirow’s lighter, more mischievous vision of the cyberpunk epic. What led Science SARU to pivot away from the austere, military tone that Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 film would go on to cement as the franchise’s vibe for decades?

Mokochan: We didn’t intentionally try to change the tone from how director Mamoru Oshii did previously because the concept for making this new series is to base it on the original manga, so we already had our own way of making this one.

Ghost In The Shell Shirow Masamune Kodansha (1)
© Masamune Shirow/Kodansha

io9: In an era when people often use AI to cheaply mimic retro anime aesthetics, the new Ghost in the Shell feels like a deliberate rejection of AI’s pervasiveness in the arts—where every frame in the trailers looks unmistakably hand‑crafted. It’s a phenomenon that’s certainly paradoxical, considering that the manga prophesied how such technologies would be utilized in the not-so-far-off year of 2029. What’s Science SARU’s stance on AI, and what specific animation techniques did it use most to capture the show’s aesthetic through the power of collective human artistry?

Mokochan: One of the concepts of the original manga is about the mysterious part of the human being. So we wanted to honor how the original creator captured the world and how we express all of the story in the original manga. So we wanted to follow the same concept using the same method to show humanity by using hand-drawn art. We prefer to just use our arms to draw all of the animation.

Handa: It’s because the main concept is about the human body, so that’s why we prefer hand-drawn art over AI.

The Ghost In The Shell image of Motoko Kusanagi.
© Science SARU

io9: Major Kusanagi has long been read as a bisexual icon in the West, especially because of Shirow’s famous island-escapade chapter with her gal pals, which has been lost in some Western reprints of the original manga. She’s also considerably goofier in the manga, a trait fans lovingly call a “bisexual disaster.” In what ways was it important for Science SARU to depict Kusanagi’s inherent goofball nature and her queerness in this adaptation, and what does portraying that side of her mean for a global audience in 2026?

Mokochan: During the process of making the new series, we were actually very surprised by it because, compared to the original manga, a lot of the thoughts about sexuality are very advanced, exploring many possibilities. It’s not just about sexuality; it’s also about the human being, technology, and many other things. [The manga] accepts everything in the world. That was a very big surprise. We didn’t intend to modernize the content to make it fit the new era.

The Ghost In The Shell still of Kusanagi kissing a woman.
© Science SARU

[The Ghost in the Shell producers’ note in regard to Science SARU’s adaptation of Motoko’s vacation scene from the original manga: “We had to adjust the depictions in the original work to match the rating.”]

Handa: When we portray Kusanagi’s character, we like to bring out all the comical parts because they’re in the original manga. It’s kind of different how director Oshii portrays her in the previous series because, in those series, Kusanagi was not that expressive. We prefer to keep the authentic parts of the original manga, so we thought we definitely needed to keep the comical parts in the character, so that’s why we included that content.

io9: As a fan of the series, I’ve seen Ghost in the Shell go through different iterations, reinterpretations, and reboots. And in that, Motoko’s design has changed in a way that reflects how different people interpret her. But while her outer shell is different, the themes—the ghost in the original story—remain in each adaptation. For Science SARU’s newer adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell, which themes from the original manga feel more prescient now than when it first came out?

Mokochan: Because the original intent of this project is to follow the original manga—not just Kusanagi, but also all the content and the world’s concept—we didn’t try to modernize any part of it. The creative team, all of whom are also big fans of the original manga. So, for the world, the story, the characters, and the theme, it’s all the same because we want to honor the original manga.

The Ghost in the Shell is streaming now on Prime Video.

io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Ghost #Shell #Director #Character #Designer #Keeping #Motoko #True #MangaAnime,Anime Expo,Science Saru,The Ghost in the Shell">‘The Ghost in the Shell’ Director, Character Designer on Keeping Motoko True to the Manga

Dan Da Dan anime studio Science SARU’s adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell is finally streaming on Prime Video, and its pilot episode looks like a ’90s anime fever dream in the best way possible. Major Motoko Kusanagi kicks all the ass, its soundtrack is a bop, and its action sequences are a chef’s kiss. Don’t just take our word for it; check out the trailer below and see for yourself how Science SARU cooked once again.

Ahead of its premiere, io9 got to chat with director Mokochan and character designer Shuhei Handa at Anime Expo about how their vision for Masamune Shirow’s seminal cyberpunk manga came to be, as well as a couple of pointed fandom-centric questions for fans who’ve been dying to see Major Motoko Kusanagi realized in all her goofy glory. 

‘The Ghost in the Shell’ Director, Character Designer on Keeping Motoko True to the Manga Dan Da Dan anime studio Science SARU’s adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell is finally streaming on Prime Video, and its pilot episode looks like a ’90s anime fever dream in the best way possible. Major Motoko Kusanagi kicks all the ass, its soundtrack is a bop, and its action sequences are a chef’s kiss. Don’t just take our word for it; check out the trailer below and see for yourself how Science SARU cooked once again. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahZn4dVCbvs[/embed] Ahead of its premiere, io9 got to chat with director Mokochan and character designer Shuhei Handa at Anime Expo about how their vision for Masamune Shirow’s seminal cyberpunk manga came to be, as well as a couple of pointed fandom-centric questions for fans who’ve been dying to see Major Motoko Kusanagi realized in all her goofy glory.  Left: Shuhei Handa, right: Mokochan. © Isaiah Colbert/io9 This interview was edited for clarity.  Isaiah Colbert, io9: From Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Devilman Crybaby, Inu-Oh, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and Dan Da Dan to Sanda and Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, Science SARU has built an impressive portfolio and reputation for making bold, expressive, and experimental anime. What about The Ghost in the Shell made it feel like a natural fit as the studio’s next project? Mokochan: For all of the works done by Science SARU, using animation to do storytelling is very important. That’s why we use a lot of hand-drawn animation in it. For The Ghost in the Shell, the most important thing is to use the visuals to capture its world. It’s the same policy with other series as well. TVアニメ「#攻殻機動隊 THE GHOST IN THE SHELL」⋱ご視聴ありがとうございました⋰ ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢ 第01話より草薙素子と荒巻大輔の出会い 👩🏻 🐵迫力の原画を大公開！ 原画｜小島崇史 さん ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢https://t.co/wICYD3OlUm pic.twitter.com/6rNlJdXZZk — サイエンスSARU (@sciencesaru) July 7, 2026 io9: From the jump, The Ghost in the Shell marks a stark tonal shift—a return—towards Masamune Shirow’s lighter, more mischievous vision of the cyberpunk epic. What led Science SARU to pivot away from the austere, military tone that Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 film would go on to cement as the franchise’s vibe for decades? Mokochan: We didn’t intentionally try to change the tone from how director Mamoru Oshii did previously because the concept for making this new series is to base it on the original manga, so we already had our own way of making this one. © Masamune Shirow/Kodansha io9: In an era when people often use AI to cheaply mimic retro anime aesthetics, the new Ghost in the Shell feels like a deliberate rejection of AI’s pervasiveness in the arts—where every frame in the trailers looks unmistakably hand‑crafted. It’s a phenomenon that’s certainly paradoxical, considering that the manga prophesied how such technologies would be utilized in the not-so-far-off year of 2029. What’s Science SARU’s stance on AI, and what specific animation techniques did it use most to capture the show’s aesthetic through the power of collective human artistry? Mokochan: One of the concepts of the original manga is about the mysterious part of the human being. So we wanted to honor how the original creator captured the world and how we express all of the story in the original manga. So we wanted to follow the same concept using the same method to show humanity by using hand-drawn art. We prefer to just use our arms to draw all of the animation. Handa: It’s because the main concept is about the human body, so that’s why we prefer hand-drawn art over AI. © Science SARU io9: Major Kusanagi has long been read as a bisexual icon in the West, especially because of Shirow’s famous island-escapade chapter with her gal pals, which has been lost in some Western reprints of the original manga. She’s also considerably goofier in the manga, a trait fans lovingly call a “bisexual disaster.” In what ways was it important for Science SARU to depict Kusanagi’s inherent goofball nature and her queerness in this adaptation, and what does portraying that side of her mean for a global audience in 2026? Mokochan: During the process of making the new series, we were actually very surprised by it because, compared to the original manga, a lot of the thoughts about sexuality are very advanced, exploring many possibilities. It’s not just about sexuality; it’s also about the human being, technology, and many other things. [The manga] accepts everything in the world. That was a very big surprise. We didn’t intend to modernize the content to make it fit the new era. © Science SARU [The Ghost in the Shell producers’ note in regard to Science SARU’s adaptation of Motoko’s vacation scene from the original manga: “We had to adjust the depictions in the original work to match the rating.”] Handa: When we portray Kusanagi’s character, we like to bring out all the comical parts because they’re in the original manga. It’s kind of different how director Oshii portrays her in the previous series because, in those series, Kusanagi was not that expressive. We prefer to keep the authentic parts of the original manga, so we thought we definitely needed to keep the comical parts in the character, so that’s why we included that content. © Science SARU © Science SARU © Science SARU © Science SARU io9: As a fan of the series, I’ve seen Ghost in the Shell go through different iterations, reinterpretations, and reboots. And in that, Motoko’s design has changed in a way that reflects how different people interpret her. But while her outer shell is different, the themes—the ghost in the original story—remain in each adaptation. For Science SARU’s newer adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell, which themes from the original manga feel more prescient now than when it first came out? Mokochan: Because the original intent of this project is to follow the original manga—not just Kusanagi, but also all the content and the world’s concept—we didn’t try to modernize any part of it. The creative team, all of whom are also big fans of the original manga. So, for the world, the story, the characters, and the theme, it’s all the same because we want to honor the original manga. ｳｵｵｵ攻殻機動隊1話にLOと作画監督で参加させていただきました！憧れの攻殻機動隊に関わることができて感激です🔥LOはセンターの子供が撃たれるあたりから脱走するところまで、作監は冒頭からOP前あたりまでです。少佐かっこよくて可愛かった〜！こちら担当LOのうちの1カットです🙏🏻#攻殻機動隊 pic.twitter.com/zUlxgD9fin — 宮かなえ (@miyakanae_) July 7, 2026 The Ghost in the Shell is streaming now on Prime Video. io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #Ghost #Shell #Director #Character #Designer #Keeping #Motoko #True #MangaAnime,Anime Expo,Science Saru,The Ghost in the Shell
Left: Shuhei Handa, right: Mokochan. © Isaiah Colbert/io9

This interview was edited for clarity. 

Isaiah Colbert, io9: From Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Devilman Crybaby, Inu-Oh, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and Dan Da Dan to Sanda and Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, Science SARU has built an impressive portfolio and reputation for making bold, expressive, and experimental anime. What about The Ghost in the Shell made it feel like a natural fit as the studio’s next project?

Mokochan: For all of the works done by Science SARU, using animation to do storytelling is very important. That’s why we use a lot of hand-drawn animation in it. For The Ghost in the Shell, the most important thing is to use the visuals to capture its world. It’s the same policy with other series as well.

io9: From the jump, The Ghost in the Shell marks a stark tonal shift—a return—towards Masamune Shirow’s lighter, more mischievous vision of the cyberpunk epic. What led Science SARU to pivot away from the austere, military tone that Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 film would go on to cement as the franchise’s vibe for decades?

Mokochan: We didn’t intentionally try to change the tone from how director Mamoru Oshii did previously because the concept for making this new series is to base it on the original manga, so we already had our own way of making this one.

Ghost In The Shell Shirow Masamune Kodansha (1)
© Masamune Shirow/Kodansha

io9: In an era when people often use AI to cheaply mimic retro anime aesthetics, the new Ghost in the Shell feels like a deliberate rejection of AI’s pervasiveness in the arts—where every frame in the trailers looks unmistakably hand‑crafted. It’s a phenomenon that’s certainly paradoxical, considering that the manga prophesied how such technologies would be utilized in the not-so-far-off year of 2029. What’s Science SARU’s stance on AI, and what specific animation techniques did it use most to capture the show’s aesthetic through the power of collective human artistry?

Mokochan: One of the concepts of the original manga is about the mysterious part of the human being. So we wanted to honor how the original creator captured the world and how we express all of the story in the original manga. So we wanted to follow the same concept using the same method to show humanity by using hand-drawn art. We prefer to just use our arms to draw all of the animation.

Handa: It’s because the main concept is about the human body, so that’s why we prefer hand-drawn art over AI.

The Ghost In The Shell image of Motoko Kusanagi.
© Science SARU

io9: Major Kusanagi has long been read as a bisexual icon in the West, especially because of Shirow’s famous island-escapade chapter with her gal pals, which has been lost in some Western reprints of the original manga. She’s also considerably goofier in the manga, a trait fans lovingly call a “bisexual disaster.” In what ways was it important for Science SARU to depict Kusanagi’s inherent goofball nature and her queerness in this adaptation, and what does portraying that side of her mean for a global audience in 2026?

Mokochan: During the process of making the new series, we were actually very surprised by it because, compared to the original manga, a lot of the thoughts about sexuality are very advanced, exploring many possibilities. It’s not just about sexuality; it’s also about the human being, technology, and many other things. [The manga] accepts everything in the world. That was a very big surprise. We didn’t intend to modernize the content to make it fit the new era.

The Ghost In The Shell still of Kusanagi kissing a woman.
© Science SARU

[The Ghost in the Shell producers’ note in regard to Science SARU’s adaptation of Motoko’s vacation scene from the original manga: “We had to adjust the depictions in the original work to match the rating.”]

Handa: When we portray Kusanagi’s character, we like to bring out all the comical parts because they’re in the original manga. It’s kind of different how director Oshii portrays her in the previous series because, in those series, Kusanagi was not that expressive. We prefer to keep the authentic parts of the original manga, so we thought we definitely needed to keep the comical parts in the character, so that’s why we included that content.

io9: As a fan of the series, I’ve seen Ghost in the Shell go through different iterations, reinterpretations, and reboots. And in that, Motoko’s design has changed in a way that reflects how different people interpret her. But while her outer shell is different, the themes—the ghost in the original story—remain in each adaptation. For Science SARU’s newer adaptation of The Ghost in the Shell, which themes from the original manga feel more prescient now than when it first came out?

Mokochan: Because the original intent of this project is to follow the original manga—not just Kusanagi, but also all the content and the world’s concept—we didn’t try to modernize any part of it. The creative team, all of whom are also big fans of the original manga. So, for the world, the story, the characters, and the theme, it’s all the same because we want to honor the original manga.

The Ghost in the Shell is streaming now on Prime Video.

io9 is on the ground at Anime Expo 2026. We’ll be bringing you updates on all the biggest panels, screenings, and announcements, plus exclusive one-on-one interviews with the people behind some of the best and most popular anime around. You can check out all of io9’s Anime Expo coverage here.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Ghost #Shell #Director #Character #Designer #Keeping #Motoko #True #MangaAnime,Anime Expo,Science Saru,The Ghost in the Shell
Smart glasses company Solos has long focused on audio-only smart glasses. On Tuesday, it announced two new pairs of glasses, one of which has a camera—but you can buy a separate accessory to hide the camera for privacy’s sake.

Solos’ new smart glasses are the audio-only AirGo A6 and the second iteration of its camera-enabled glasses, the Solos AirGo V2. The latter was first announced last year as an effort to directly “outshine Meta.” These $299 glasses do just about everything you’d expect from Meta’s new $299 Meta Smartglasses, including photo and video capture, playing music, and interacting with an AI-powered assistant that can see what you see. They can be fitted with prescription lenses and have a 10- to 12-hour battery life.

The AirGo V2 glasses can also be paired with a new Privacy Kit, a set of clip-on accessories that let wearers control what their camera glasses can access. The clip-on privacy shield blocks the cameras from view and from recording the world, allowing you to keep wearing the glasses in audio-only mode. There’s also a clip-on polarized lens, and the full kit of modular options costs $79.

Selling a privacy kit as a clip-on accessory is perhaps not the most effective way to stave off concerns about people running around with small, discreet cameras on their faces. Having to buy a separate item, then clip it on and off every time you want to use or disable the camera, is a lot of extra steps that will likely keep people from bothering with privacy at all. Also, there isn’t anything stopping bad actors from removing the clip-on blockers later in an interaction—say, after entering an event that prohibits camera recording.

Image may contain Cutlery Fork Blade Razor and Weapon

Courtesy of Solos Smartglasses

Solos’ first camera-enabled glasses, the Solos AirGo Vision, launched in 2024. WIRED put them in the “Don’t Bother” section of our Best Smart Glasses gallery, citing some decent design choices, albeit ones held back by middling media capture quality, frustrating touch controls, and a power-hungry app that demands too many permissions. All in all, the glasses haven’t quite reached the standard Meta has set with its popular smart glasses.

Meta has been the dominant force in the smart glasses market, but other big companies are trying to fill in the cracks. Google and Samsung have a partnership to build out Google’s Android XR platform, with new glasses arriving later this year from eyewear brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Apple has reportedly been building its own smart glasses as well.

Some smaller companies are adjusting their target markets to counter Meta, like Even Realities and its camera-free glasses. Solos’ reemphasis on privacy comes after a period of widespread criticism of Meta’s glasses. The devices have been called creepy “pervert glasses” and were criticized after the company silently added face recognition code to its glasses, then quickly removed it after public outcry following a WIRED report. Meta hasn’t done itself any favors since then, announcing last week that it will start charging for features on its smart glasses that have previously been free.

Meta has acknowledged that a market for audio-only smart glasses exists, as CTO Andrew Bosworth said in a private Q&A session with media that he thinks there is “market demand for that product for sure.” But Meta hasn’t moved away from its camera-forward spectacles yet. It may very well make audio-only glasses in the future. Until then, companies like Solos are eager to chip away at that market.

#Smart #Glasses #Solos #Privacy #Shield #Camerascameras,design,smart glasses,wearables,artificial intelligence,meta">These New Smart Glasses From Solos Come With a Privacy Shield for the CamerasSmart glasses company Solos has long focused on audio-only smart glasses. On Tuesday, it announced two new pairs of glasses, one of which has a camera—but you can buy a separate accessory to hide the camera for privacy’s sake.Solos’ new smart glasses are the audio-only AirGo A6 and the second iteration of its camera-enabled glasses, the Solos AirGo V2. The latter was first announced last year as an effort to directly “outshine Meta.” These 9 glasses do just about everything you’d expect from Meta’s new 9 Meta Smartglasses, including photo and video capture, playing music, and interacting with an AI-powered assistant that can see what you see. They can be fitted with prescription lenses and have a 10- to 12-hour battery life.The AirGo V2 glasses can also be paired with a new Privacy Kit, a set of clip-on accessories that let wearers control what their camera glasses can access. The clip-on privacy shield blocks the cameras from view and from recording the world, allowing you to keep wearing the glasses in audio-only mode. There’s also a clip-on polarized lens, and the full kit of modular options costs .Selling a privacy kit as a clip-on accessory is perhaps not the most effective way to stave off concerns about people running around with small, discreet cameras on their faces. Having to buy a separate item, then clip it on and off every time you want to use or disable the camera, is a lot of extra steps that will likely keep people from bothering with privacy at all. Also, there isn’t anything stopping bad actors from removing the clip-on blockers later in an interaction—say, after entering an event that prohibits camera recording.Courtesy of Solos SmartglassesSolos’ first camera-enabled glasses, the Solos AirGo Vision, launched in 2024. WIRED put them in the “Don’t Bother” section of our Best Smart Glasses gallery, citing some decent design choices, albeit ones held back by middling media capture quality, frustrating touch controls, and a power-hungry app that demands too many permissions. All in all, the glasses haven’t quite reached the standard Meta has set with its popular smart glasses.Meta has been the dominant force in the smart glasses market, but other big companies are trying to fill in the cracks. Google and Samsung have a partnership to build out Google’s Android XR platform, with new glasses arriving later this year from eyewear brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Apple has reportedly been building its own smart glasses as well.Some smaller companies are adjusting their target markets to counter Meta, like Even Realities and its camera-free glasses. Solos’ reemphasis on privacy comes after a period of widespread criticism of Meta’s glasses. The devices have been called creepy “pervert glasses” and were criticized after the company silently added face recognition code to its glasses, then quickly removed it after public outcry following a WIRED report. Meta hasn’t done itself any favors since then, announcing last week that it will start charging for features on its smart glasses that have previously been free.Meta has acknowledged that a market for audio-only smart glasses exists, as CTO Andrew Bosworth said in a private Q&A session with media that he thinks there is “market demand for that product for sure.” But Meta hasn’t moved away from its camera-forward spectacles yet. It may very well make audio-only glasses in the future. Until then, companies like Solos are eager to chip away at that market.#Smart #Glasses #Solos #Privacy #Shield #Camerascameras,design,smart glasses,wearables,artificial intelligence,meta

Solos’ new smart glasses are the audio-only AirGo A6 and the second iteration of its camera-enabled glasses, the Solos AirGo V2. The latter was first announced last year as an effort to directly “outshine Meta.” These $299 glasses do just about everything you’d expect from Meta’s new $299 Meta Smartglasses, including photo and video capture, playing music, and interacting with an AI-powered assistant that can see what you see. They can be fitted with prescription lenses and have a 10- to 12-hour battery life.

The AirGo V2 glasses can also be paired with a new Privacy Kit, a set of clip-on accessories that let wearers control what their camera glasses can access. The clip-on privacy shield blocks the cameras from view and from recording the world, allowing you to keep wearing the glasses in audio-only mode. There’s also a clip-on polarized lens, and the full kit of modular options costs $79.

Selling a privacy kit as a clip-on accessory is perhaps not the most effective way to stave off concerns about people running around with small, discreet cameras on their faces. Having to buy a separate item, then clip it on and off every time you want to use or disable the camera, is a lot of extra steps that will likely keep people from bothering with privacy at all. Also, there isn’t anything stopping bad actors from removing the clip-on blockers later in an interaction—say, after entering an event that prohibits camera recording.

Image may contain Cutlery Fork Blade Razor and Weapon

Courtesy of Solos Smartglasses

Solos’ first camera-enabled glasses, the Solos AirGo Vision, launched in 2024. WIRED put them in the “Don’t Bother” section of our Best Smart Glasses gallery, citing some decent design choices, albeit ones held back by middling media capture quality, frustrating touch controls, and a power-hungry app that demands too many permissions. All in all, the glasses haven’t quite reached the standard Meta has set with its popular smart glasses.

Meta has been the dominant force in the smart glasses market, but other big companies are trying to fill in the cracks. Google and Samsung have a partnership to build out Google’s Android XR platform, with new glasses arriving later this year from eyewear brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Apple has reportedly been building its own smart glasses as well.

Some smaller companies are adjusting their target markets to counter Meta, like Even Realities and its camera-free glasses. Solos’ reemphasis on privacy comes after a period of widespread criticism of Meta’s glasses. The devices have been called creepy “pervert glasses” and were criticized after the company silently added face recognition code to its glasses, then quickly removed it after public outcry following a WIRED report. Meta hasn’t done itself any favors since then, announcing last week that it will start charging for features on its smart glasses that have previously been free.

Meta has acknowledged that a market for audio-only smart glasses exists, as CTO Andrew Bosworth said in a private Q&A session with media that he thinks there is “market demand for that product for sure.” But Meta hasn’t moved away from its camera-forward spectacles yet. It may very well make audio-only glasses in the future. Until then, companies like Solos are eager to chip away at that market.

#Smart #Glasses #Solos #Privacy #Shield #Camerascameras,design,smart glasses,wearables,artificial intelligence,meta">These New Smart Glasses From Solos Come With a Privacy Shield for the Cameras

Smart glasses company Solos has long focused on audio-only smart glasses. On Tuesday, it announced two new pairs of glasses, one of which has a camera—but you can buy a separate accessory to hide the camera for privacy’s sake.

Solos’ new smart glasses are the audio-only AirGo A6 and the second iteration of its camera-enabled glasses, the Solos AirGo V2. The latter was first announced last year as an effort to directly “outshine Meta.” These $299 glasses do just about everything you’d expect from Meta’s new $299 Meta Smartglasses, including photo and video capture, playing music, and interacting with an AI-powered assistant that can see what you see. They can be fitted with prescription lenses and have a 10- to 12-hour battery life.

The AirGo V2 glasses can also be paired with a new Privacy Kit, a set of clip-on accessories that let wearers control what their camera glasses can access. The clip-on privacy shield blocks the cameras from view and from recording the world, allowing you to keep wearing the glasses in audio-only mode. There’s also a clip-on polarized lens, and the full kit of modular options costs $79.

Selling a privacy kit as a clip-on accessory is perhaps not the most effective way to stave off concerns about people running around with small, discreet cameras on their faces. Having to buy a separate item, then clip it on and off every time you want to use or disable the camera, is a lot of extra steps that will likely keep people from bothering with privacy at all. Also, there isn’t anything stopping bad actors from removing the clip-on blockers later in an interaction—say, after entering an event that prohibits camera recording.

Image may contain Cutlery Fork Blade Razor and Weapon

Courtesy of Solos Smartglasses

Solos’ first camera-enabled glasses, the Solos AirGo Vision, launched in 2024. WIRED put them in the “Don’t Bother” section of our Best Smart Glasses gallery, citing some decent design choices, albeit ones held back by middling media capture quality, frustrating touch controls, and a power-hungry app that demands too many permissions. All in all, the glasses haven’t quite reached the standard Meta has set with its popular smart glasses.

Meta has been the dominant force in the smart glasses market, but other big companies are trying to fill in the cracks. Google and Samsung have a partnership to build out Google’s Android XR platform, with new glasses arriving later this year from eyewear brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Apple has reportedly been building its own smart glasses as well.

Some smaller companies are adjusting their target markets to counter Meta, like Even Realities and its camera-free glasses. Solos’ reemphasis on privacy comes after a period of widespread criticism of Meta’s glasses. The devices have been called creepy “pervert glasses” and were criticized after the company silently added face recognition code to its glasses, then quickly removed it after public outcry following a WIRED report. Meta hasn’t done itself any favors since then, announcing last week that it will start charging for features on its smart glasses that have previously been free.

Meta has acknowledged that a market for audio-only smart glasses exists, as CTO Andrew Bosworth said in a private Q&A session with media that he thinks there is “market demand for that product for sure.” But Meta hasn’t moved away from its camera-forward spectacles yet. It may very well make audio-only glasses in the future. Until then, companies like Solos are eager to chip away at that market.

#Smart #Glasses #Solos #Privacy #Shield #Camerascameras,design,smart glasses,wearables,artificial intelligence,meta

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