Meta launches camera-free smart glasses

Ray-Ban Meta Audio Glasses have no cameras but include Meta AI, open-ear audio, and weigh just 43 grams. They start at $349 and last 12 hours on a single charge.

Why remove the camera now

Meta says audio-only glasses were years in development, but the timing coincides with public backlash against wearable surveillance tech. Removing cameras also allowed lighter design and more flexibility.

Lighter, cheaper, more normal-looking

At 43 grams, the audio glasses are lighter than previous Ray-Ban Meta models. They come in Clubmaster and Burbank styles with 23 color and lens combinations, and look like regular prescription glasses.

What the audio glasses actually do

They listen for a wake word, handle phone calls, play music and podcasts, and interact with Meta AI. They don't record video or audio unless activated by the wake word.

“They don't record. The only thing they do, which is the same thing as an Alexa device in your house or some other devices, they're just listening for a specific wake word.”

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 brings cameras back

The third-generation camera glasses add a sixth microphone, boost battery to nine hours, and introduce new aviator and Zena cat-eye styles. Price jumps to $449 from $379.

Gen 3 adds spatial audio and refinements

All sound now captures in Dolby Atmos for spatial audio. Temple arms are adjustable for better fit. The glasses come in 27 color and lens combinations plus three seasonal options.

Meta Glasses gets celebrity collabs

Meta Glasses now includes Kylie Jenner and Blackpink's Lisa editions at $399 each, plus new Capri and Nova styles. Non-celebrity versions start at $249.

Targeting women with new styles

Meta noticed younger, more female audiences bought the Kylie Jenner glasses. The company is using celebrity collabs and diverse styles to counter the masculine appeal of Wayfarer and Oakley brands.

“With the Meta Glasses Starfire with Kylie, we saw a younger, more female audience start to buy the glasses.”

Over 100 glasses versions by year end

Meta is flooding the market with limited-edition styles, colors, and prescription options across its entire Ray-Ban Meta lineup at various price points.

Muse AI comes to all glasses

Meta's personal AI agent Muse will roll out across all smart glasses models. It's designed to remember context and perform tasks on behalf of the wearer.

“Muse is gonna be everywhere. Muse is gonna be on every device that we make.”

Muse demo shows promise and limits

A demo showed Muse helping find high-protein snacks, but it failed to add items to a cart. The feature could be helpful but also represents a data goldmine for Meta.

FDA-cleared hearing assistance feature

A new hearing aid feature boosts conversational tones in loud environments. It costs $149 extra and is eligible for FSA and HSA accounts as a one-time fee.

Private processing protects user data

Meta is bringing WhatsApp's private processing to wearables, a server-based system where user data stays inaccessible to Meta or third parties when end-to-end encryption isn't possible.

“It's so that you know that your data is just yours and you're the only one who has access to it.”

Users can opt out of AI training

Meta will let users opt out of visual data being used for AI training. Audio-only queries will still be used for training purposes.

Privacy updates don't solve core problem

Meta acknowledges private processing mainly protects the wearer's data, not bystanders. The updates don't address public fears about glasses secretly recording people without consent.

Inside the bubble versus outside

At Meta Connect, everyone wears smart glasses without concern. Outside Menlo Park, a vocal contingent isn't asking for more options. They're asking for less.