Amid concerns about “pervert glasses,” Meta has announced a line of smart glasses that drop the controversial built-in cameras to focus instead on audio and AI features.
At its annual Meta Connect event on Wednesday, the company announced the Ray-Ban Meta Audio, marketing them as stylish frames with earbud-like sound quality. By dropping the camera, the glasses are not only lighter but also feature the longest battery life among Meta glasses products, at up to 12 hours, an increase from around 8 or 9 hours. A charging case can extend the battery life up to 48 hours more.
They’re also a tad more affordable. The Ray-Ban Meta Audio starts at $349, less than the $449 starting price of the brand-new Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 glasses the company also announced at Meta Connect. (Those glasses still feature a 12MP camera and 3K video recording.)
Although the cameras on Meta’s other smart glasses have received a lot of attention, the company says, “audio has been our most popular feature since day one, because our glasses give you high-quality sound without closing you off from the world around you.”
While audio-only smart glasses are nothing new, the built-in speakers on Meta’s products seem fairly strong. During an outdoor demo with people talking nearby, the audio was clear with minimal leakage. The glasses also look sleek thanks to the signature Ray-Ban designs. And hey, you won’t be accused of being a creep while wearing them in public, since it’s clear the glasses lack any outward-facing cameras.
The glasses weigh 43 grams (1.51 ounces), which is only slightly less than the 1.79 to 1.86 ounces of the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2. Still, the reduced weight is a nice touch and might be more noticeable as you wear them throughout the day. During my demo, I felt they were no different from a regular pair of glasses.
That said, to truly test any pair of glasses, you usually need to wear them for several hours to gauge potential strain. But Meta’s goal was to create a pair of AI glasses for “all-day comfort.” The glasses are designed to connect to your phone, letting you take voice calls, stream music, or even converse with Meta’s AI assistant. Say “Hey Meta” to activate the assistant.
The Ray-Ban Meta Audio contains six microphones, which can also be used to detect and suppress background noise during your voice calls, Meta says.
Preorders start today on Meta’s website ahead of an Oct. 13 launch.
Additionally, at the Connect event, Meta unveiled the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3), Meta VR Glasses, and Hearing Enhancement, which uses the company’s smart glasses as an alternative to traditional hearing aids.
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