Ray-Ban Meta Audio smart glasses launch without cameras

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 15:31 · Archive

Meta has announced Ray-Ban Meta Audio, smart glasses without cameras, addressing privacy concerns over previous camera-equipped models.

Meta has launched Ray-Ban Meta Audio smart glasses without cameras, a significant departure from its previous Ray-Ban Meta models which included recording capabilities. The company announced the camera-free glasses in September.

The removal of cameras reflects privacy concerns that dogged Meta's earlier smart glasses. Previous camera-equipped models drew criticism from users who found them intrusive, with some calling them 'pervert glasses' after reports that they were used to record people without consent. Some users discovered methods to disable the indicator light designed to signal that recording was taking place.

The new audio-only glasses retain several features from their predecessors. They include an AI voice assistant activated by saying 'Hey Meta', which can provide navigation directions and other information. The glasses have microphones for calls and video, and a touchpad on the right temple to control functions. Engadget reports that Meta stores cloud recordings of voice interactions in the United States, though users can manually delete saved recordings through the Meta AI app.

How it is being reported

• 4 Ray-Ban Meta privacy settings you should change before wearing themRay-Ban Meta smart glasses have rightly been criticized for the many ways they can violate people's privacy.Engadget · 25 Oct, 15:15
• Ray-Ban Meta Audio Review: The Best Smart GlassesNo cameras? No problem. Ditching the surveillance baggage makes Meta’s audio-only frames surprisingly easy to live with.Wired · 24 Oct, 10:15

In this story: Meta · Ray-Ban · Facebook · Los Angeles · United States

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