Smart Glasses Get Their Own App Store for $299

Smart glasses just got a lot more interesting, and it has nothing to do with the hardware.

Mentra is about to ship its first smart glasses, the Mentra Live, and they come with something no other pair offers: their own app store. Developers have been building apps specifically for these glasses since early 2025, using an open-source operating system that anyone can tinker with.

The MiniApp Store works through the Mentra app on both iOS and Android devices. Think of it like the early days of smartphones, when app stores transformed phones from calling devices into pocket computers.

The apps themselves range from practical to playfully questionable. One saves handwritten notes as you jot them down. Another called "Chess Cheater" uses the built-in camera and AI to analyze your chess position and whisper suggested moves directly into your ear.

The glasses themselves pack solid specs for the price point. They weigh just 43 grams, making them among the lightest smart glasses available. A 12-megapixel camera with a 119-degree field of view handles photos and HD video, with livestreaming support for YouTube, Twitch, Instagram and X.

Battery life clocks in at over 12 hours, with the charging case adding 50 more hours. Three microphones and stereo speakers handle calls from WhatsApp, FaceTime and other apps, plus music playback. They're prescription-ready, so you won't need to choose between seeing clearly and seeing smart.

At $299, Mentra undercuts most competitors while offering something they don't: genuine customization. The open-source approach means developers worldwide can build tools for specific needs, whether that's translating signs in real time, identifying plants on hikes, or yes, cheating at board games.

The Ripple Effect

Opening up smart glasses to developers could democratize wearable tech in ways we haven't seen yet. When smartphones got app stores, suddenly everyone from fitness coaches to language teachers to independent game developers could reach millions of users. The same potential exists here, but for a technology that sits right in your line of sight.

Small developers and hobbyists now have a platform to experiment with augmented reality without needing corporate partnerships or expensive proprietary systems. A college student could build an app to help people with anxiety, a teacher could create real-time translation tools, or a birding enthusiast could develop species identification software.

The first batch of 1,000 pairs ships February 15, with a second limited batch following on February 28. Whether Mentra's bet on open-source and app stores pays off remains to be seen, but they're giving smart glasses their first real shot at becoming as essential as the phone in your pocket.