On Wednesday, Meta unveiled its latest smart glasses in collaboration with Ray-Ban, alongside the launch of the Meta Quest 3 and other innovative products. These smart glasses allow users to livestream videos to Facebook and Instagram without the need for hands, featuring a 12-megapixel camera sensor paired with an LED unit. This new offering builds on the foundation laid by the original Ray-Ban Stories, the company’s inaugural smart glasses that debuted in September 2021. However, unlike augmented reality or virtual reality headsets, the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses do not include a display unit.
The pricing for the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses starts at $299 (approximately Rs. 24,999) for the standard lenses. Those seeking upgraded features can opt for Polarized lenses at $329 (around Rs. 27,400) or transition lenses priced at $379 (approximately Rs. 31,500). Customers can choose from an impressive selection of 150 different combinations of custom frames and lens designs.
Currently, the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are open for pre-order in 15 countries, which include the US, Canada, Australia, and various European markets. The official sales launch is set for October 17 in these regions. However, Meta has yet to announce when the smart glasses will be available in India.
Integrated into the frame of the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are a 12-megapixel camera and an LED light that serves as a recording indicator, all housed within circular cutouts on either side of the glasses. Users can capture images at a resolution of 3,024 x 4,032 pixels, as well as record videos in 1080p for up to 60 seconds. With the Meta View app, users can easily share these photos and videos on various image and video platforms.
A standout feature of the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses is their first-person perspective livestreaming capability, allowing users to broadcast what they are looking at in real time to their Instagram and Facebook profiles. The glasses also support hands-free functions through the voice prompt ‘Hey Meta’.
Despite lacking a display, Meta claims that the new glasses offer improved audio performance compared to the Ray-Ban Stories. The dual open-ear speakers are designed to minimize audio leakage and provide up to 50 percent louder sound, enhanced bass, and greater clarity.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen1 Platform SoC, the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses feature 32GB of internal storage. Meta asserts that the new design is sleeker than its predecessor, boasting a battery life of up to four hours, which can extend to an additional 32 hours when used with the charging case. A full charge reportedly takes 75 minutes, and the glasses hold an IPX4 rating for water resistance.
