Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg believes the smartphone will be around for some time yet but smart glasses will become the complimentary device that we physically interact with the most. That’s why Meta continues to roll out more models with updated features as revealed at Connect.
META RAY-BAN DISPLAY
Despite a failed live video call demo during the keynote, there was plenty to like about the hero device; the Meta Ray-Ban Display. It’s the company’s first AI glasses with a high-resolution monocular display. This new category of AI glasses comes with a full-colour, high-resolution display with a resolution of 42 pixels per degree, a higher resolution than any consumer VR headset. The microphones, speakers, cameras, and display are backed with compute and AI.
Each pair comes with Meta Neural Band, an EMG wristband that interprets the natural signals created by your muscle activity to navigate the features of your glasses. It’s a bit like gestures on an Apple Watch that result in a ‘wireless mouse’ experience via subtle hand movements. It means you don’t have to touch your glasses and this was demonstrated effectively by Zuckerberg live on stage.
The way the display pops in and out of vision is well executed and I expect it to do well. Bad news for Australians though, the Meta Ray-Ban Display is not coming down under any time soon. It launches on September 30th in the United States for US$799, including the Neural Band. The band has up to 18 hours of battery life and features a comfortable, water-resistant form factor.
RAY-BAN META (GEN 2)
The next generation of Ray-Ban Meta glasses are available today, adding up to 2x the battery life compared to their predecessor, ultra HD 3K video recording, and more. The glasses’ battery life offers up to eight hours of mixed use, and its cameras double the previous number of pixels for sharper, smoother, and more vivid content capture.
Conversation focus is a new feature coming soon that uses your AI glasses’ open-ear speakers to amplify the voice of the person you’re talking to. The feature will be available on the existing Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta HSTN glasses as a software update.
The next generation of Ray-Ban Meta is available now on meta.com and Ray-Ban.com starting at A$599.
OAKLEY META VANGUARD
Following hot on the heels of the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses, Meta announced a new pair aimed at high-intensity sports athletes and rugged outdoor adventurers. The Oakley Meta Vanguard, Performance AI glasses can endure up to nine hours of mixed-use, have a wider 122-degree field of view, 3K video, and new Hyperlapse and Slow Motion capture modes.
Meta also announced the integration of Garmin and Strava with the Meta AI app, so users can get real-time stats on the fly, completely hands-free. Garmin integrations include a new auto capture feature based on your workout stats and milestones, like hitting a set distance or a burst of speed, to capture moments without needing to ask.
The Hyperlapse and Slow Motion capture modes are also available on Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) and Oakley Meta HSTNs.
Pre-orders are open now, for A$789 – on shelves on October 21.
