From TechCrunch · Lucas Ropek · · 3m
Meta's smart glasses take center stage at Connect
Meta showcased audio-only smart glasses and hearing aids at its annual conference, signaling the company's commitment to wearable technology.
In brief
Meta showcased audio-only smart glasses and hearing aids at its annual conference, signaling the company's commitment to wearable technology. Meta displayed new audio-only smart glasses and hearing aid glasses at Connect, demonstrating its push to make smart glasses mainstream across multiple use cases. Originally…
Smart glasses dominated Meta Connect
Meta's annual hardware and AI showcase made clear the company is all-in on smart glasses. Staff and influencers arrived wearing them, and most demos involved the glasses.
New audio-only glasses address privacy fears
Meta unveiled unreleased audio-only smart glasses with six microphones but no camera. They have no native way to record surroundings, easing privacy concerns that followed accusations of selling pervert glasses.
The glasses are lighter and more comfortable
The new audio-only glasses are significantly lighter than other smart glasses and quite comfortable to wear. They offer entertainment and communication options like listening to music and taking phone calls.
Muse agent integration lets users speak commands
The glasses integrate with Muse, Meta's personal agentic system. Users can speak to Muse and give it commands verbally. Meta plans to personalize the agent with cute digital avatars representing it.
Muse handles tasks while you're out
Users can ask Muse to send emails, recite to-do lists, or answer questions like a mobile ChatGPT. The agent handles digital tasks while wearers are grocery shopping or socializing.
Meta launches glasses for the hearing impaired
Meta unveiled new glasses designed for hearing loss, which affects some fifty million Americans. The device serves a clear practical purpose unlike many modern tech gadgets.
Hearing glasses cost far less than hearing aids
Meta's hearing glasses will sell for one hundred fifty dollars. A Meta research team member noted the glasses had been in development for about five years, while hearing aids can cost as high as one thousand six hundred dollars.
Hearing glasses offer flexible sound amplification
The glasses amplify voices and let users switch between focused amplification, which zeroes in on the person in front of them, and omnidirectional, which picks up sound from all around.
Zuckerberg believes smart glasses are the future
Mark Zuckerberg has made clear he believes smart glasses are the future. Meta is casting a wide net to make its glasses stylish, functional, and useful, trying to succeed where others have failed.
Smart glasses remain unproven in the market
Smart glasses remain a niche that has yet to truly find its footing. Everyone at Connect seemed convinced this is the future, but whether the rest of the world will follow remains to be seen.
The big picture
Meta displayed new audio-only smart glasses and hearing aid glasses at Connect, demonstrating its push to make smart glasses mainstream across multiple use cases.
