Meta's New Ray-Ban Glasses Drop the Camera, Keep the Smarts

Meta has released a new version of its Ray-Ban smart glasses that removes the camera entirely. These audio-only glasses look just like regular eyewear, with a retro Clubmaster or Wayfarer style. You can listen to music, make calls, and talk to Meta's AI assistant (called Muse Spark) using voice commands. The big selling point is privacy: since there's no camera, people around you won't feel like they're being recorded. During setup, Meta also shows clearer privacy options, letting you opt out of some data sharing. But the AI still uses your voice data unless you disable the wake word.

Without a camera, the AI can't see what you see, so it can't help with things like translating a menu or describing a scene. That makes these glasses less helpful for people with low vision or blindness. The AI can still do simple tasks like check your calendar, send messages, or share your location if you grant access. However, it sometimes struggles—like when it forgot a connected calendar during testing. The glasses cost $350, which is expensive for something that mainly plays audio and does light AI tasks.

For everyday users, the main benefit is being able to stay connected without pulling out your phone. You can listen to music, take calls, and get notifications discreetly. The open-ear design means you can still hear your surroundings, which is safer for running or walking in the city. But the AI isn't a killer feature yet; it's more of a convenience. If you want a camera for visual AI, you'll need the other model, which raises privacy concerns for bystanders.

Overall, these glasses are a niche product. They're great if you want smart features without the creepiness of a camera. But they're not a must-have for most people. The AI is still limited, and the price is high. It's a step toward normalizing smart glasses, but we're not quite at the point where everyone will want a pair.