Meta launched two new styles of its Meta Ray-Ban artificial intelligence glasses, which will support nearly all prescription lens types, so that people can wear them in nearly all situations.
The new Meta Ray-Ban glasses will come in two styles:
- “Blayzer Optics,” a rectangular frame available in two sizes, similar to the traditional Wayfarer sunglass design
- “Scriber Optics” which is a more rounded, slimmer style
Both designs are available in Matte Black, Transparent Black and Transparent Dark Olive, as well as seasonal colors such as Transparent Matte Ice Grey and Transparent Stone Beige, per the company. The new frames are the next step toward creating AI glasses for all-day wear.
As explained by Meta: “Today, we’re rolling out an optical-forward pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses that support nearly all prescriptions. These are also the most comfortable glasses we’ve ever designed — aimed to better support all-day wear, even if you don’t need a prescription. Ergonomic features such as overextension hinges, interchangeable nose-pads, and optician-adjustable temple tips help make these new Ray-Ban Meta styles adaptable to individual face shapes for a tailored fit.”
The question, then, is whether people should have the capacity to covertly capture and record images and video, and immediately share them, in all situations.
Already, Meta is under investigation in both the U.S. and the U.K. over its human review process for footage captured using its AI glasses. Meta contractors have been viewing extremely personal content captured by wearers, including bathroom visits, sex and other intimate moments, according to reports from multiple outlets including TechCrunch and the Guardian.
This problem will only increase if people are able to wear these glasses all day. There are also commercial confidentiality concerns in the workplace, as well as right to privacy issues in recording.
But Meta is keen to make AI a bigger part of users’ everyday lives, and its glasses are a key path toward enabling this.
“People all over the world have already discovered the power of AI glasses,” Meta said. “We’ve sold millions of units across our full collection in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, with sales more than tripling year over year. Now, we’re focused on building the deepest lineup of AI glasses across every use case, whether you’re training outdoors or just going about your day.”
Meta also announced an expansion of its range of Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) and Oakley Meta glasses, with additional lenses available to make these AI glasses even more useful across a range of activities.
Meta is also adding new nutrition tracking tools, and WhatsApp summaries and recall, as well as the capacity to scroll through Instagram Reels right from the glasses. There are also in-lens games and more Spotify options to match music to activities.
Functionally, there is clearly value in having these additional assistive tools, but at the same time, significant privacy questions remain. It does feel, in some ways, like Meta is trying to steamroll these concerns by pumping out updates before regulatory bodies can catch up.
That’s in part because utility always overrides privacy, and once people come to rely on tools, they’re more willing to overlook such concerns in retrospect.
Meta knows this all too well. Despite the many controversies around its previous data handling and privacy violations, Facebook usage has continued to rise. The platform has become such a valuable connector for so many users that these issues seem to fade into minor speedbumps in the company’s growth trajectory.
Utility, then, is the key. If Meta can make more people see how valuable its glasses are, it will likely be able to weather any concerns.
Meta’s latest AI glasses options are available for pre-order in the U.S. now, with prices starting at $499. They will be available at optical retailers in the U.S. and in select international markets starting April 14.
