Meta is introducing two highly anticipated features for its popular Ray-Ban Smart Glasses: real-time visual AI and live translation capabilities. Currently, these features are in the testing phase, but eventually, all Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses users will have access to an interactive assistant that can see, hear, and translate languages such as Spanish, French, and Italian.
These enhancements are part of the version 11 update, highlighted during Meta’s Connect 2024 event, which also includes music recognition through Shazam. The integration leverages the glasses’ built-in cameras, speakers, and microphones, eliminating the need to pull out a phone to access these features.
In my experience with the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, I was impressed by the high-quality photos they produce. The ability to take pictures and record videos hands-free enhances the overall user experience.
Initially, users needed to wake up the AI assistant with a specific phrase, which made communication feel cumbersome. Asking about something I observed while wearing the glasses required prefacing my questions with “look and,” which often seemed awkward.
The new live AI feature introduces an intelligent assistant that is perpetually available, making interactions more efficient and responses faster. This live AI employs video technology to provide a constant visual feed.
Privacy is not a concern with these live features, as they can be enabled through settings and require activation for continuous listening and observation. Users can also disable these features in the settings or through a voice command.
The latest updates are initially rolling out to Early Access users for feedback. In the coming weeks or months, depending on user input, Meta will begin releasing these exciting version 11 enhancements to a broader audience of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses owners.
Priced at $299, the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses offer significant value and continue to improve with each over-the-air update. If you’re curious about what else is available in the market, check out our guide on the best smart glasses. As it stands, the Ray-Ban Smart Glasses remain the first of their kind to gain significant mainstream interest.
