I think it’s fair to say Meta doesn’t boast a particularly glowing reputation at the moment.
With privacy concerns surrounding its Meta Glasses that no amount of celebrity endorsement can fix, plus issues around shielding children and vulnerable people from harmful content online, it really doesn’t feel like Meta is taking its responsibility to keep people safe very seriously.
However, it would appear that Meta is trying to combat this by launching a camera-free pair of smart glasses. Yep, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio sheds itself of the creepy camera and is designed for users to listen to music and chat to Meta’s AI assistant (Muse) without needing headphones.
I completely understand why there’s a rise in open-ear headphones. Unless I’m travelling on a plane or sitting in a busy office or cafe, proper noise cancelling headphones no longer appeal to me, especially when I’m out walking or on a run. The thought of being so unaware of my surroundings feels dangerous and an unnecessary risk to take when out on my own. With that in mind, I really do understand the idea behind the Ray Ban Meta Audio specs, as you can listen to audio content while staying alert and present of the space around you.
Plus, you can call on Meta AI to get answers to questions without needing to get your phone out. Okay, let’s be honest, no one would ever really do this, but it’s an unignorable option.
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And then there’s the design. As there’s no bulky camera to find space for, Meta doesn’t need to use the larger Ray-Ban Wayfarer or Starfire styles for its glasses and can call upon other iconic but more lightweight designs from the brand, like Burbank or my personal favourite, Clubmaster.
Finally, you can add your prescription to the specs too and choose between standard or tinted lenses too. So, theoretically, if you need a new pair of glasses and a new pair of open-ears, then the Ray Ban Meta Audio could be a good compromise.
The counter-argument
So yes, there genuinely are valid reasons why someone might splurge on the audio only pair. However, with a starting price of £319, the Ray Ban Meta Audio is a seriously hefty investment for specs with built-in speakers and microphones. In fact, the pair is only £90 less than the full-blown Meta Glasses 3rd Gen – so that might sway users to just opt for the camera-cladded alternative.
Then there’s Meta’s AI assistant Muse. Yes, it probably can come in handy when you have a question that needs answering right away, and you have no time to get your phone out or to ask someone for the answer – but how often will those instances actually come up?
During my time at a Meta event, I was prompted to use the glasses to ask Muse about the health benefits of sourdough. It’s good to know, don’t get me wrong, but I think I naturally would have just Googled the question, rather than muttering it to my glasses to reveal the answer.
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Which brings me to my next qualm. Can you imagine being caught actually chatting to the AI assistant that lives in your glasses? The thought is genuinely mortifying.
In fact, and I know I’ll sound like a hypocrite for even saying this, but at least the standard pair has cameras that can come in handy, say if you want to translate a menu or identify a plant. Of course this does not sway my overarching opinion that the Meta Glasses are creepy, but it does at least offer some justification.
There are some genuine pros to the Ray Ban Meta Audio specs. Not only are they available in stylish designs and can be used as your everyday prescription glasses, but they allow you to listen to audio content without needing to don earbuds or headphones. The glasses also keep you aware of your surroundings – something that more of us are choosing to do to stay safe.
However, with a hefty price tag and not much else going for it, the Ray Ban Meta Audio doesn’t seem like much of a worthwhile option. The AI is a decent addition, but I doubt people will really use it enough to warrant the splurge. Having said that, if you’re keen to get your hands on Meta Glasses, then I would definitely say go for the audio-only iteration rather than ones with a camera.
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I for one am going to stick with my normal prescription glasses and use open-ear models like the Shokz OpenDots Air while I’m out and about.