The iPhone has already revolutionized personal computing, but now Meta’s new AI-powered glasses are stepping things up even more. It’s like having a little slice of technology right on your nose.
According to Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s chief technology officer, these glasses are a real “game changer.” He emphasizes that they’ve evolved from just taking pictures and recording videos to incorporating AI that can answer questions and display information directly on one lens, or even provide audio responses for those without a display. The starting price for the new Ray-Ban Meta (2nd generation) glasses? $379.
When paired with the Meta Neural Band, priced at $799 with the glasses, you can navigate the device through finger movements, which sounds kind of futuristic, right?
AI integration means these glasses can assist with everyday tasks. For instance, if you’re admiring a piece of art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, they can provide you with details about it, or even help you translate conversations happening in another language. How cool is that? In those situations, the translated text appears on the lens, visible only to you.
Bosworth shared that these glasses will provide “real-world subtitles,” which could be incredibly helpful.
He imagines that in the future, they’ll be able to predict your needs. Just think: if you’re about to head out, they might tell you about the weather before you even think to check.
Already, they have practical applications—like helping you remember where you parked at a mall. Just snap a picture, and it sends a reminder to your phone. “Memory is good for the future,” Bosworth mentioned, hinting that they can even help track your keys and phone.
What about when you’re at dinner? The glasses might recognize you’re about to tip and automatically do the math for you—assuming, of course, that you typically tip 20%.
And yes, there are some features that could get a bit contentious. If privacy concerns are sorted out, imagine wearing these glasses at a gathering where you encounter familiar faces. They could identify people you’ve met, providing context like, “Oh, that’s Michael Kaplan, the author.” However, Bosworth acknowledges legal restrictions currently prevent building a central facial database, which has raised eyebrows among users trying to sidestep the alerting light indicating when recording is happening.
Interestingly, Bosworth pointed out that if someone were to cover that light, they might disable the camera as a fail-safe—safeguarding privacy, perhaps, but also a bit concerning.
Various celebrities, including Chris Pratt and James Cameron, seem to have endorsed the glasses. Bosworth, however, denied any specific collaboration with Cameron, despite the sci-fi flair reminiscent of “The Terminator.”
These glasses appear to have garnered attention from influencers and reporters alike, with some capturing memorable moments, like a child’s first steps. “You can never be ready for that,” Bosworth remarked.
They also hold particular promise for veterans; for instance, Don Overton, who lost his sight, now uses the glasses as a virtual assistant, providing independence that traditional tools couldn’t offer. “Nothing has matched the level of independence these glasses give me,” he explained.
Ultimately, Bosworth believes we’re just scratching the surface of what this technology can really do. “[They’re not just a tool]—they’re giving superpowers to everyone,” he concluded.
