[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "e3nvision%20a%20company%20in%20Hlland%20anyupdate%20on%20them%20they%20sold%20the%20ally%20solos%20glasses%20but%20are%20they%20gone%20there%20is%20so%20little%20activity%20from%20them"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s a current summary of what I found about **Envision** (sometimes misheard as \u201cE3nvision\u201d), the Dutch assistive-tech startup that makes \u201cAlly Solos\u201d glasses, plus what activities and status updates are publicly available as of mid-2026.\n\n---\n\n## Who is Envision?\n\n- Envision is an assistive-tech company founded in **2017**, based in **Delft / Rotterdam**, Netherlands. It focuses on tools for people who are blind or have low vision. ([thecompanycheck.com](https://www.thecompanycheck.com/company/b/envision/18c2uyxkcztj0l80p?utm_source=openai))  \n- The company\u2019s mission is to give users access to visuals via AI: reading text (in many languages), recognising faces, describing scenes, finding objects, etc., both via a smartphone app (Envision App / \u201cAlly\u201d) and through smartglasses. ([siliconcanals.com](https://siliconcanals.com/envision-announces-smart-glasses/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## The \u201cAlly Solos\u201d & Envision Glasses\n\n- Envision released \u201cEnvision Glasses\u201d in ~2020. These are higher-end smartglasses built using hardware like Google Glass, aimed at heavy assistive use\u2014reading text, scene description, live support, etc. ([siliconcanals.com](https://siliconcanals.com/envision-announces-smart-glasses/?utm_source=openai))  \n- More recently (as of **mid-2025**), they launched **Ally Solos Glasses**, in partnership with Solos (a smart eyewear company). These are lighter, less expensive than the flagship Envision glasses, and designed to work in tandem with the \u201cAlly\u201d AI assistant app, connecting through a phone. They support voice control, reading/scene recognition etc. Pre-orders were opened in Aug 2025, with shipping estimated starting October 2025. ([letsenvision.com](https://www.letsenvision.com/blog/ally-solos-glasses?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## What is the current status? Are they \u201cgone\u201d?\n\nBased on the evidence, **no**, Envision is not gone. They are still operating and releasing products. Here are the signals:\n\n1. **Official Channels Still Active**\n   - Envision's website includes an active shop listing for Ally Solos Glasses (though marked \u201cSold out\u201d) at current pricing. ([shop.letsenvision.com](https://shop.letsenvision.com/?utm_source=openai))  \n   - Their support pages are updated, with documentation for Ally Solos and Envision Glasses. ([support.letsenvision.com](https://support.letsenvision.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/40477988619153?utm_source=openai))  \n\n2. **Product Reviews & User Feedback**\n   - There are recent product reviews (e.g. German site *merkst.de* in Nov 2025 / Mar 2026) that discuss the Ally Solos. One said \u201cdie Ally Solos Glasses sind nicht **mehr erh\u00e4ltlich**\u201d \u2014 i.e., \u201cno longer available,\u201d which sounds like in that country or via that channel they\u2019re not currently sold. ([merkst.de](https://merkst.de/test-envision-ally-und-solos-glasses/?utm_source=openai))  \n   - Users are also posting on forums (e.g. Reddit) about receiving them (or not), about pairing issues, etc. That suggests the product did ship in some places, but that issues are being encountered. ([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/1pe2fkd/envision_solos_glasses_return_experience/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n3. **New Activities, Partnerships, etc.**\n   - Envision continues to be active on social media (LinkedIn) showing staff, updates, new integrations (e.g. \u201cAlly now works with Meta AI glasses\u201d in public beta). ([nl.linkedin.com](https://nl.linkedin.com/company/letsenvision?utm_source=openai))  \n   - Their team size is modest (somewhere between 11-50 employees), which is typical for a startup in this space. ([thecompanycheck.com](https://www.thecompanycheck.com/company/b/envision/18c2uyxkcztj0l80p?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## What are the uncertainties / limitations?\n\nWhile Envision is *not* gone, several points could be why it might *look* like there\u2019s little activity:\n\n- **Product availability varies by country** \u2014 \u201cSold out\u201d labels and \u201cnot available in your region\u201d messages are common. ([shop.letsenvision.com](https://shop.letsenvision.com/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n- **Mixed user reviews** \u2014 There are reports of glitches, delays, usability frustrations (slow responses, voice speed issues, etc.). Some users have cancelled their orders or subscriptions. Papers in reviews say \u201cmany obvious errors\u201d and that the product might not yet be fully polished. ([merkst.de](https://merkst.de/test-envision-ally-und-solos-glasses/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n- **Stock and shipping delays** \u2014 Like many hardware tech companies (especially smaller ones), there are pre-orders, promised shipping dates, and then gaps or delays. For example, Solos / Envision said Ally Solos pre-orders would ship in Oct 2025. Whether all orders have shipped worldwide isn\u2019t clear. ([techcityng.com](https://www.techcityng.com/ally-solos-smart-glasses-launch/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n- **Product lifecycle** \u2014 Some sites are saying the Ally Solos is \u201cno longer available\u201d in certain markets, which may mean they\u2019re out of stock, or discontinuing in particular regions. ([merkst.de](https://merkst.de/test-envision-ally-und-solos-glasses/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## My educated estimate\n\nBased on all this, my take:\n\n- Envision is still an active company.  \n- The Ally Solos glasses were launched and shipped (at least in some regions), but availability is spotty.  \n- Support for their products and app (\u201cAlly\u201d) continues.  \n- They have not expanded to the point of wide commercial saturation (e.g. everywhere, always in stock).  \n- Given the feedback, the product is still maturing; there are user complaints and limitations, and likely supply / stock / support constraints.  \n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can try to check whether Envision still supports **your specific country** (if you tell me where you are), and whether the Ally Solos are in stock there. Do you want me to check that?"
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "I%20am%20in%20ireland%20I%20got%20a%20pair%20of%20the%20ally%20solos%20glasses%20and%20they%20are%20awful%20a%20waist%20fo%20money%20in%20my%20point%20of%20view%20I%20think%20the%20meta%20blayzer%20optics%20are%20the%20ones%20to%20go%20for%20I%20do%20think%20however%20some%20staff%20have%20left%20envision"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s what I dug up as of mid-2026, for you in Ireland, comparing the Ally Solos glasses versus Meta\u2019s \u201cBlazer Optics\u201d line, and what the user and staff-reports say about Envision lately.  \n\n---\n\n## What people are saying in Ireland & overall\n\nYou\u2019re not alone: many users are frustrated with the Ally Solos Glasses, especially in Europe. Some common complaints from first users include:\n\n- **Slow speech / voice-output**: Users say the Ally assistant\u2019s speech is frustratingly slow, and there\u2019s no way to increase the speed via settings, even after paying for a premium plan. ([merkst.de](https://merkst.de/test-envision-ally-und-solos-glasses/?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Poor customer support**: Requests for refunds, technical help, or shipment tracking often go unanswered or have very long delays. ([applevis.com](https://www.applevis.com/forum/assistive-technology/disappointed-envision?page=1&utm_source=openai))  \n- **Hardware or performance issues**: Glitches, one speaker arm not outputting sound, unbalanced audio, and disappointment in what the glasses deliver versus what was promised. ([merkst.de](https://merkst.de/test-envision-ally-und-solos-glasses/?utm_source=openai))  \n\nOne Irish tech outlet (*Vision Ireland*) said that on paper the Ally Solos were priced similarly to Meta\u2019s smart glasses and had many expected features\u2014but emphasized waiting for independent review to see how they work in real life. ([vi.ie](https://vi.ie/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-ally-solos-glasses/?utm_source=openai))\n\nSo your experience seems to mirror what others report across Europe: a lot of promise, but many technical, support, and usability gaps.\n\n---\n\n## Have some staff left? What\u2019s happening internally\n\nYou asked if Envision staff have been leaving. I didn\u2019t find credible reports of leadership resignations *within* the Dutch startup Envision (the assistive tech company). However:\n\n- Most reports of staff departures I found relate instead to **\u201cEnvision Healthcare\u201d in the U.S.**, a different company entirely (a hospital / emergency medicine provider). That company has gone through major restructuring, leadership changes, etc. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Envision_Healthcare?utm_source=openai))  \n- The assistive-tech Envision (you have the Ally / Solos glasses) does not appear in those stories\u2014no public mass departures or leadership exit announcements that I found.  \n\nIt could be that some team members have quietly left (common in small startups). But I found **no evidence** that there\u2019s a sign of the company shutting down or that much of its core staff has publicly exited. Still, the poor support and delays might fuel feelings that things are slipping internally.\n\n---\n\n## How does Meta\u2019s \u201cBlazer Optics\u201d line compare\n\nMeta recently launched a new line of smart glasses called the **Ray-Ban Meta Blayzer Optics** (and a rounder variant named **Scriber Optics**) with features that seem more aligned to what you\u2019re looking for. Key things:\n\n- These are designed *from the start* for people who need prescription lenses (so easier to get your prescription fitted in). ([gizmodo.com](https://gizmodo.com/meta-ray-ban-blayzer-scriber-optics-smart-glasses-2000740262?utm_source=openai))  \n- Frames are slimmer and more stylish (sleeker designs) compared to many older models. ([gizmodo.com](https://gizmodo.com/meta-ray-ban-blayzer-scriber-optics-smart-glasses-2000740262?utm_source=openai))  \n- Meta\u2019s glasses tend to have better polish for many users: more mature software, faster voice responses, more consistent hardware behaviour. People generally say they \u201cjust work\u201d compared to the Ally Solos\u2019s rough edges. ([applevis.com](https://www.applevis.com/forum/assistive-technology/disappointed-envision?page=1&utm_source=openai))  \n\nSo your idea that Meta\u2019s Blazer line might be the better pick seems supported by many user reports.\n\n---\n\n## What I suggest you can do (if you want to try something different or get better support)\n\n- **Request a refund or support ticket clearly**: Document your complaints (speech rate being slow, support silence, hardware issues). Use the official support email: for the Ally glasses, it seems \u201csupport@envision.app\u201d is used. ([envision.app](https://envision.app/contact-support/?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Check your rights for consumer returns in Ireland / EU**: Under EU law many products must have consistent quality / fulfil what was promised. Defects or unmet expected functions (like speech speed) might be grounds to demand fixes, replacements, or refunds.  \n- **Try the Meta Blazer / Scriber** (if you haven\u2019t already) to see if they meet your needs. If possible, try them before buying\u2014some shops might allow a test or return window.  \n- **Reach out to your community** (on AppleVis, Reddit, etc.) to see if there are group actions going on or tips for getting support/refunds from Envision. When many people report similar issues, companies sometimes respond.  \n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can check if there are **other smartglasses recently released** in Ireland aimed precisely at blind or low-vision users, to see if you have a better alternative than Meta. Do you want me to look into that?"
    }
]