Meta has launched its own, cheaper version of its popular and somewhat controversial AI glasses.
The new eyewear is still made in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the glasses company that owns a range of other brands. Past glasses have been made under those names – including glasses that put smart components into existing designs from Ray-Ban and Oakley, and are marketed under those names – but the new glasses are branded only as Meta’s own.
They come at a reduced price of $299 or £299. That is around $80 cheaper the models made in collaboration with Ray-Ban, and they include all of the same technology on the inside.
The current era of Meta’s smart glasses began in 2021, when it launched Ray-Ban Stories, adding a camera and speakers to a pair of sunglasses. In 2023, it gave them a major update, improving the camera, speakers and other features.
They have proven unexpectedly popular with the public, and given rise to whole new kinds of video taken using the camera mounted to the face. But they have also been controversial, with critics arguing that they represent an invasion of privacy, especially given Meta’s historic record on privacy.
That controversy became louder in recent weeks when surveillance code was found hidden within the app. That suggested that the company was working to build facial recognition in the app, though Meta executives stressed that the feature was not turned on.
Meta has also pointed to a range of privacy features built into the app, including a light that appears on the front when users are filming.
The new glasses are the first time that Meta has released a version of the glasses that do not include branding from a traditional glasses company. They come in three styles – a traditional one known as “Adventurer”, a bolder design named “Fury”, and a set made in collaboration with Kylie Jenner – and a range of different frame options.
EssilorLuxottica designed the new glasses in collaboration with Meta, and the glasses include a reference to the company on the inside of the temple. The collaboration will continue and the two companies will continue to work together, Meta said.
Meta’s new glasses come amid increasing competition from rival tech companies including Google, which is making its own smart glasses platform. Apple is also rumoured to be building its own tech-powered eyewear.
