Meta has unveiled a new version of its AI-powered smart glasses, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio, which notably excludes a camera. This move comes after the original camera-enabled models, launched in 2023 in collaboration with Ray-Ban, faced significant public controversy over privacy concerns.
The earlier devices were dubbed “pervert” or “creepy” glasses, following multiple reports of them being used to film individuals, particularly women and girls, without their consent, and then sharing the footage. Despite Meta enlisting Kylie Jenner as a prime model, the image problem persisted, leading to bans in various UK locations.
Privacy Concerns Prompt New Approach
The privacy backlash led to the camera-enabled smart glasses being banned in several prominent UK venues. These included JD Wetherspoon pubs, a handful of major theatres, Comic-Con events, some schools, and Faslane, home of the UK’s nuclear submarines. The introduction of a camera-free version is seen by some in the industry as an “interesting pivot,” potentially in response to these concerns, according to a BBC report.
However, Meta denies that the new Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses have been rushed out due to public anger, stating the product has been in development for two years.
Features of the Camera-Free Model
The new Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses retain the audio capabilities of their predecessors. Users can make phone calls or play music, with sound funnelled directly into their ears through open speakers in the arms. This design means users can still hear their surroundings, similar to wearing headphones without noise-cancelling features.
Meta states that the audio-only version is cheaper than its camera-enabled counterparts, featuring a lighter frame and improved battery life. Ankit Brahmbhatt, Meta Glasses’ head of product, when asked if the camera-free version might outsell the originals, stated, “We have, I think, something for everyone.” More details on their offerings can be found on our site: Meta’s Camera-Free Ray-Ban Audio Glasses: What They Offer.
User Experience and Wider Applications
While the initial camera-enabled models generated controversy, their non-camera functions have proven useful for some users. An individual who tried the camera-equipped glasses for the BBC reported feeling nervous initially but experienced no public reaction while wearing them in cities like London, Glasgow, and Portsmouth. Despite this, some people expressed a lack of confidence in approaching someone wearing the glasses due to fears of being filmed.
The glasses connect to a phone via Bluetooth and Meta’s AI app, offering voice-activated features. The user found listening to music and podcasts on the move without earbuds safer, felt more confident avoiding phone theft in central London, and appreciated having map directions spoken directly into their ears. The trade-off, however, involves accepting that the Meta AI app would know their location at all times, a point of concern given Meta’s “hunger for personal data,” as noted by the BBC.
Beyond personal use, smart glasses have found champions in various fields. A hairdresser found the idea useful for recording client hair transformations, a builder for documenting site work or teaching skills, and a runner for tracking jogs. Content creators are reportedly “big fans.” The blind community has particularly welcomed smart glasses, with one user describing them as a “game-changer” for providing audio descriptions of locations and reading text like restaurant menus. Earlier this year, Meta donated 15,000 pairs to a charity for the blind in Ireland.
FAQ
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Why were Meta’s original smart glasses controversial?
Meta’s original smart glasses faced controversy due to reports of being used to film people, particularly women and girls, without their consent, leading to them being widely labelled “pervert” or “creepy” glasses.
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Which UK venues banned the camera-enabled glasses?
In the UK, JD Wetherspoon pubs, several major theatres, Comic-Con events, some schools, and Faslane, home of the UK’s nuclear submarines, all chose to ban the camera-enabled smart glasses.
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What features do the new camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses offer?
The new Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses provide audio functions, allowing users to make phone calls and play music, with the sound directed into their ears. They are also noted for being cheaper, lighter, and having better battery life than their camera-enabled counterparts.
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