Meta’s latest wearable technology provides a portable, hands-free travel assistant that makes sightseeing easier than ever. These glasses help you get directions, translate languages, take videos and photos, and even send and receive messages hands-free.
AI glasses can be worn as prescription glasses, transitional lenses, or just sunglasses, making them ideal for warmer destinations. Plus, with options like Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta glasses, you can look even more stylish on the go. I’m a travel writer, and I always keep my Metaglasses with me to record travel highlights, keep in touch with friends and family, and immerse myself in a destination.
Simply link your glasses to your phone’s Meta AI app via Bluetooth and your images, videos, and information will be stored on your device. Plus, the battery life lasts longer than your smartphone, so you don’t have to worry about running out of power when you need to take that all-important sunset photo.
Read on to find out how AI glasses can enhance your travel experience this summer and beyond.
1. Ask for interesting trivia about landmarks
Wearing AI glasses when visiting a new town or city is like having your own free tour guide. If you’re standing in front of a famous building or monument and you want to know more about it, all you have to do is say, “Hey Meta, tell me about that landmark.”
A camera built into the glasses scans the area, tells you what you’re looking at, and reads out fun facts about it. For example, if you’re looking at Tower Bridge in London, you’ll know when it was built and the style of the structure.
It is also convenient if you want to see museums and exhibitions and learn more about works and sculptures. If you ask them, “Hey Meta, what am I looking at?” they’ll tell you about the painting or the artist.
However, this isn’t just a one-way conversation, and you can continue the conversation by asking the artist additional facts about the landmark or painting, such as what happened to it or what the location is used for.
Meta Starfire Kyrie Edition
2. Make hands-free calls
You can use Bluetooth to link your AI glasses to your phone contacts and make and receive calls on the go. This means you don’t have to worry about missing calls and can stay in touch with people while you explore your destination.
It’s also useful if you’re planning to meet someone, because you can call them and tell them exactly where you are. Plus, it’s all hands-free, so you can carry on your shopping or carry your belongings while carrying on a conversation without having to dig through the bottom of your bag for your phone.
Simply say “Hey Meta, call xx” to place a call, and say “Hey Meta, answer” or double-tap the right side of your glasses to answer a call.
Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer (1st generation)
3. Send a message
In addition to calling, you can also send WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger messages through the AI glasses. Simply link your WhatsApp and Messenger accounts in the Meta AI app and ask them to send you a message while wearing your glasses.
This is a convenient way to contact people hands-free when you’re on the move or rushing around town for sightseeing.
4. Avoid getting lost in a new destination
It can be difficult to find your way in a new town or city you visit, especially if the road signs are in a different language. Luckily, you can link your AI glasses to tools like Google and Apple Maps.
You can ask Meta to guide you to places like a local coffee shop, or you can set it on your phone and follow the instructions. All of this can be done hands-free, making you look more like an expert navigator than a tourist.
Oakley Meta HSTN
5. Break down the language barrier
Language barriers can be an issue when traveling, especially if you need directions or are trying to order food or drinks at a restaurant. AI glasses become your personal translator. The glasses and app provide live translation from English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese for Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta models. Other languages are currently being added.
Set your source and destination languages within the app, or say “Hey Meta, start live translation.” The glasses listen to what the other person is saying and translate it. You can also use the glasses to ask Meta to translate menus and signs, or find out how to say certain words or phrases. It may not sound as fluent, but it creates easier conversation than having to constantly look at your phone to translate words.
6. Take photos and videos
The latest model of AI glasses can take up to 3 minutes of 3K resolution videos and high-definition photos. You can film yourself walking around attractions or easily take photos without reaching for your phone.
This gives you a unique perspective as you can get a better perspective of what you want to capture rather than just seeing landmarks and destinations through a 6-inch smartphone screen.
7. Posting on social media
No need to wait until you get back to your hotel to share your holiday snaps. Instantly share photos and videos to Facebook and Instagram.
The AI glasses also allow you to live stream at your destination and post directly to social media, letting your loved ones know what you’re doing on your trip, all from your perspective, rather than blurry videos or photos taken on your phone.
8. Cancel email
It can be difficult to switch off from work while traveling. If you want to know what’s going on at work, you can link Glass to your email and ask it to call up a message.
9. Listen to music
Never forget your headphones to listen to your favorite audiobooks or playlists. The glasses can connect to music apps like Spotify and Amazon Music. It uses open-ear audio, so you can hear your surroundings, making it safer.
10. Remember your room number
From boarding gates to parking spaces to hotel room numbers, there’s a lot to remember when traveling. AI glasses act as a personal assistant. Just tell it to remember the parking level or hotel room number where you left your car, and the Meta AI app will add a reminder.
