Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses remove the camera while retaining speakers, microphones, AI features and live language translation through the Meta AI app. That change means the glasses cannot capture visual content, and the reviewer says it makes them more comfortable to wear in public, particularly for running, calls and everyday listening.
Courtesy of Meta
A camera-free design
The reviewer wore the Burbank-style frame but personally prefers the round Clubmaster design. A friend seeing the glasses for the first time laughed and remarked, “They’re a bit thick.”
The glasses do not record audio unless the wearer is using an AI chatbot, and those requests are stored in the Meta AI app. Live language translation is also available, but users must first access the Meta AI app. Although removing the camera makes the glasses feel as if they are missing an important feature, the reviewer argues that the change improves the overall product. People can wear them without others assuming they are being recorded.
Designed for running and calls
Despite the thicker frame, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio could be an ideal pair of running glasses. Its transition lenses quickly adapt to sunlight, while the speakers deliver consistent sound quality. Users can listen to music while still hearing important environmental sounds, such as approaching cars.
Call quality was also strong: people on the other end of the phone did not realize the reviewer was speaking through the glasses. However, sound does leak from the speakers, and the bass response is not especially good.
All-day battery life
The Burbank model weighs 43 grams, while the Clubmaster weighs 47 grams. Both are noticeably lighter than the third-generation Wayfarer with its 51.5-gram camera. With up to 12 hours of battery life, the glasses can be worn throughout the day without much concern about charging or switching to earbuds or headphones.
Smart glasses with augmented-reality capabilities have good reasons to include cameras. But for people who want wearable audio and AI features without capturing visual content, eliminating the camera may be the right choice.
After trying many smart glasses this year, the reviewer says most ended up back in their cases or in a desk drawer. They suggest that someone—“cough Google cough”—may eventually challenge Meta. For now, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses are the only smart glasses the reviewer actually wants to wear.
Source: www.wired.com