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Aug 28, 2023

Meta' next Ray

Listen to Story Meta is working on second-generation smart glasses in collaboration with Ray-Ban. While the first-gen model, called Meta Ray-Ban Stories, offers a range of features, including audio

Listen to Story

Meta is working on second-generation smart glasses in collaboration with Ray-Ban. While the first-gen model, called Meta Ray-Ban Stories, offers a range of features, including audio playback and quick photo and video capture, there are some limitations. Most of these limitations that you might expect from a so-called smart glass will persist. However, there are going to be a bunch of creator-friendly features, which might give these glasses an edge over rivals.

According to tech journalist Janko Roettgers in his latest blog on Lowpass, the second-gen Meta's Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses will allow users to start a live stream. The benefit of this feature is that creators can offer a better point-of-view (PoV) to viewers. It can be especially useful when you're out for a walk or at a concert. It also provides more mobility to creators since the live stream occurs through smart glasses rather than a smartphone. To enable the live video function, Meta has reportedly enhanced the battery backup.

Roettgers adds that the second iteration of Meta's Ray-Ban glasses will allow viewers to communicate with the creator during a livestream. The exact details of how this will work remain unknown, but we can speculate that not all viewers will have the ability to speak directly. Meta might introduce a special subscription to enable select users to communicate directly with the creator during a live video. It could also serve as an incentive for the creator to earn additional income. The report notes, "Live streamers will be able to directly communicate with their audience, with the glasses relaying comments via audio over the built-in headphones."

Communication will happen through in-built mics and speakers. The first-gen model also lets users communicate via regular phone calls. Meta might also consider improving the cameras without making the glasses heavier and tacky. The report adds that the company is also working on improving privacy for others. The first-gen smart glasses include LED indicators to let bystanders know if they are being recorded. However, the brightness of the LED light remains questionable. Additionally, users can easily hide LED indicators with a tap or paint.

The second-gen model may rely on AI tweaks to dissuade users from covering the LED indicator.

The second-gen Meta Ray-Ban glasses will also reportedly improve the audio quality. Meta may also expand its music streaming partners this year.

The Meta Ray-Ban Stories (2023) is expected to launch in October alongside the Quest 3 mixed-reality headset. This year, Meta might introduce big changes, considering that Apple has also entered the market with the Vision Pro headset. According to an old leak, Meta may significantly improve its smart glasses with AR technology in 2025.

The company continues its partnership with glasses giant EssilorLuxottica.