Meta Unveils Ray-Ban Meta: Next-Gen Smart Glasses with Advanced Features
Introducing the latest advancement in wearable technology, Meta Platforms, the social media giant, has revealed the second generation of Ray-Ban smart glasses during the Meta Connect product and developer event. CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased the new device developed in collaboration with Essilor Luxottica, the French-Italian company behind the Ray-Ban brand.
Named Ray-Ban Meta, these smart glasses allow users to effortlessly stream their visual experiences as video content directly to their Facebook or Instagram followers. The streaming feature requires a connection to a smartphone. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses boast improvements in sound and camera quality, along with a lighter and more comfortable design compared to the previous generation, representing a notable advancement in smart eyewear.
In a move towards integrating artificial intelligence into everyday interactions, Meta introduced an intelligent assistant called Meta AI within the smart glasses. Activated with a simple “Hey Meta” command in English, this assistant is currently available only in the United States as a test version. A comprehensive software update next year will enhance the AI’s capabilities, enabling it to identify and name objects and locations captured by the user, as well as provide text translations.
Expanding beyond smart glasses, Meta AI is set to integrate with popular messaging applications such as Whatsapp, Messenger, and Instagram. Users can interact with the AI to seek information and request customized photographic images based on their preferences. Powered by the Llama 2 language model, Meta AI utilizes Microsoft’s Bing search engine to fetch real-time information from the internet.
The global availability of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses will extend beyond Finland, with sales launching in fourteen additional countries across North America, Australia, and Europe in October. The strategic partnership between Meta and Essilor Luxottica, which initially resulted in the release of the first-generation Ray-Ban Stories in 2021, continues to make strides in reshaping the landscape of wearable technology.
In conjunction with the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, Meta unveiled the Quest 3 virtual glasses during its event, scheduled for release in October. Positioned as a competitor to Apple’s more expensive virtual glasses, these cutting-edge virtual glasses promise an immersive experience, showcasing Meta’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technological innovation.