Meta, in collaboration with Ray-Ban, has introduced the second generation of its smart glasses — combining classic eyewear style with upgraded camera, audio, and AI features. The new Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 aims to balance everyday wearability with futuristic functionality.
Key Highlights
Improved Camera: A 12 MP camera captures high-resolution photos and up to 3K video clips.
Battery Life: Around 8 hours of typical usage, a notable improvement from the first version.
AI Assistant: The “Hey Meta” voice assistant enables hands-free tasks, translations, and quick information retrieval.
Design Options: Available in popular Ray-Ban models like Wayfarer and Skyler, with various lens types including polarized and transition.
Pricing: Starting from $379, with a premium AR-enabled version priced around $799.
Competition in the Market
Compared to other products, Meta’s approach focuses on practicality:
Amazon Echo Frames emphasize Alexa-powered audio, without a camera.
Snap Spectacles lean toward AR experiments but have limited availability and short battery life.
Apple and Google are exploring more advanced AR wearables, but Meta’s product is currently positioned as an accessible middle ground.
Privacy and Security
One of the biggest concerns is privacy. The glasses have a small LED that signals when recording, but critics argue it’s too subtle. Although Meta has stated there’s no facial recognition, researchers have shown that the technology could be modified for it. Microphones always listening for the “Hey Meta” command also raise concerns, though Meta claims audio is processed locally until triggered.
Market Reception
The first generation reportedly sold over 2 million units, showing strong consumer interest. Users often praise the comfort and lightweight design, but some reviewers note limitations in app support and AI reliability. Many features still lag behind smartphones, yet the glasses succeed in making wearable tech stylish and approachable.
Final Thoughts
The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 smart glasses are not a necessity yet, but they represent an important step toward mainstream wearable computing. They strike a balance between fashion and technology, offering a practical glimpse into what the future of everyday smart eyewear might look like.
Source of reference: Tech Space 2.0