Ray-Ban Meta Glasses now have a third style option: first-person sharing on calls on WhatsApp and Messenger, and Look & Ask visual AI in the US and Canada.
Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses were announced at Connect 2023. These are first-person camera glasses that allow you to take hands-free first-person photos and videos, make phone calls, listen to music, and livestream your views to Instagram.
Another headline in the US and Canada is Meta AI, a conversational assistant that lets you say “Hey Meta.” Meta AI leverages Meta's Llama series of large-scale language models (LLMs), the same kind of technology that powers ChatGPT, so it's better than his current Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It's much more advanced. However, like his other LLMs, it may experience hallucinations and currently lacks the smart home integration features found in traditional digital assistants.
Mark Zuckerberg recently said on his podcast that Meta recognizes the huge demand for Ray-Ban Metaglasses and is selling them as quickly as possible. As of this writing, many variants are currently out of stock and awaiting resupply.
Starting today, Meta AI is no longer limited to voice input. You can also now answer questions about what you're looking at or the last photo you took.
This multimodal AI capability has many potential use cases, including identifying plants and animals, answering questions about what you're cooking, suggesting captions for photos, and translating posters and signs into another language.
An example of meta AI that translates posters.
Meta AI with Vision was previously available to a “limited number” of users as an early access beta, but is now being rolled out to all owners in the US and Canada.
Sharing a first-person perspective on a video call
Since its launch, Ray-Ban Meta glasses have been able to livestream your views to Instagram. Starting today, you can also stream your views on video calls on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
If your glasses are connected during a WhatsApp or Messenger call on your phone, you'll see a new button to start streaming your view. Alternatively, press the physical button on your glasses twice.
View sharing in video calls on WhatsApp and Messenger is being “rolled out gradually,” according to Meta, so it may take some time before it's available to each owner.
New Skyler styles and headliner options
Ray-Ban Meta glasses were released in two styles: Wayfarer and Headliner.
Shiny chalky gray skylar, gradated cinnamon pink lenses.
EssilorLuxottica today introduces a third style option called Skyler. The company says it was inspired by his 1960s archives, “an era of iconic jet-set style.”
However, like Headliner, Skylar is only available in standard sizes, so it is not suitable for larger faces. In contrast, Wayfarer also offers a large size.
EssilorLuxottica is also introducing a “low bridge fit” version of the headliner style. It will be available in shiny black with Polar G15 lenses. Mehta says this low-bridge fit is suitable “if your glasses tend to slide down your nose, sit too low on your face, or compress your cheeks.”
Ray-Ban meta glasses in various styles.
Five more colorways will be released this summer.
- Skyler Shiny Caramel Polar Brown with Lenses
- Skyler Shiny Black with Polar G15 Lens
- Wayfarer in Shiny Warm Stone with Transitions® Watermelon Red Lenses
- Shiny warm stone headliner with Transitions® saffron yellow lenses
- Headliner low bridge fitted with shiny warm stone, with Transitions® dark green lenses
Finally, a limited edition “Scuderia Ferrari colorway” version of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses will be released tomorrow for the 2024 Miami Grand Prix.
