Meta, in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the company that owns RayBan and many other eyewear brands, has announced the next-generation of their smart glasses collection. The glasses, which Meta said have been designed from the ground-up, will allow users to take pictures, videos, and livestream content on Facebook and Instagram directly.
The smart glasses come with Meta AI, company’s conversational assistant built directly into them, which can be activated by saying ‘Hey Meta’, enabling users to interact with it, get information or control features. Initially, these AI capabilities will be exclusively available in the US upon launch.
The company hasn’t shared many specifics about what its AI chatbot would be capable of on the smart glasses, so we’ll have to wait a few days for reviews to start coming in and see how the generative AI feature stacks up against conventional assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa.
The smart glasses feature Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen1 Platform, 12 MP camera (which can record 1080p 60fps videos), and a charging case that can provide up to 36 hours of use. Meta stated that they have added new custom-designed speakers, higher maximum volume, and improved directional audio to offer a significantly better audio experience than the previous generation of the glasses.
The Meta smart glasses are available in classic Wayfarer and retro Headliner styles, offered in both Matte Black and Shiny Black, with three transparent frame color options. They are available for pre-order now on the websites of Meta and RayBan, starting at USD 299, with retail store availability set to begin on October 17.
ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is reportedly also exploring the development of an AI hardware device. They’ve recently rolled out voice and image features for ChatGPT, allowing users to engage in back-and-forth conversations with the chatbot and receive information or advice by sharing images.
