Industry News
Meta and EssilorLuxottica Enhance Ray-Ban Meta Glasses with New AI Features
Meta Platforms, Inc. and EssilorLuxottica are enhancing the Ray-Ban Meta glasses with significant feature updates and a wider range of product offerings. Announced during the recent Meta Connect 2024 conference, these updates aim to position the smart glasses as an essential companion for users looking to stay present while enjoying advanced technology.
The Ray-Ban Meta glasses, equipped with a high-quality 12MP camera, have already allowed users to capture thousands of hands-free photos and videos, sharing their unique perspectives globally. The latest enhancements include open-ear speakers that enable users to listen to podcasts, audiobooks, or music. Soon, users will also be able to utilise voice commands to search and discover content on platforms like Spotify and Amazon Music.
Among the most notable features is the integration of Meta AI, which will assist users in the U.S. and Canada with tasks such as writing captions, translating text, and identifying objects like exotic fruits. Future updates will enhance this functionality, allowing users to set reminders and recall information—like where they parked their car—simply by using their voice. Additionally, the AI will support video input for real-time assistance, enabling it to tag along in conversations.
New capabilities include a 'Reminders' feature that captures images of items in view, sending later notifications to users’ phones. The glasses will soon support QR code scanning and direct dialing from visual prompts. Furthermore, real-time language translation will allow users to communicate seamlessly across different languages.
Meta's collaboration with EssilorLuxottica has led to new styles of transition lenses that adapt to varying light conditions, alongside transparent frames that showcase the internal technology. This design innovation aims to blend style with functionality.
“We are excited about the significant progress we're making in our wearables category. Seeing the remarkable growth and positive reception of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses is truly inspiring. Our collaboration with Meta seamlessly blends our iconic design with cutting-edge technology, creating products that resonate globally. As Meta’s AI advances, we're committed to expanding our styles offerings. Each update introduces new capabilities that enhance the user experience, making our smart glasses more intuitive and accessible. We look forward to future innovations that will shape the way we connect with each other and the world,” says Rocco Basilico, Chief Wearables Officer.
Despite challenges in the smart glasses market, Meta has reported strong sales performance for the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, prompting increased production efforts. CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed optimism about the future of smart glasses as they evolve into indispensable tools for everyday life.
As these updates roll out later this year, Meta continues its commitment to making AI integration a practical reality in consumer technology.
