Meta Platforms and Ray-Ban have teamed up to launch the next-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which hit online and retail stores on October 17. These AI-powered sunglasses boast enhanced features for recording, making calls, and more, marking a step up from their initial collaboration two years ago. Equipped with a 12MP camera, built-in speakers, and a five-microphone system, these smart glasses aim to capture special moments while offering various functionalities. Users can livestream, play music, send messages, or make calls through social media platforms.
The glasses sport a sleek design with improvements in audio quality, boasting extended bass, increased maximum volume options, and directional speakers. Integrated with Meta AI, users can activate the AI assistant by saying, “Hey Meta,” to manage settings and tasks hands-free.
The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses come in five frame colour options, offering customization with over 150 frame and lens combinations. They also cater to prescription lenses if required, providing flexibility to suit individual needs. Highlighted features include a 36-hour maximum battery life, an upgraded processor, and a lighter, slimmer design, all offered at a starting price of $299.
Meta partnered with EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban’s parent company, to develop these smart glasses. The first-gen glasses debuted in 2021, offering 20 style combinations across select retail stores.
Report Linker predicts significant growth in the smart glasses market, estimating its value at $218.9 million in 2022 and projecting a compound annual growth rate of 9.5% from 2023 to 2028. The market is witnessing increased investments and attracting younger consumers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z.
Competitors in this space include tech manufacturers like Bose, Razer, and Lenovo, all vying for a share in the smart glasses market. These glasses, leveraging augmented reality (AR), function as a smartphone extension, displaying notifications and enabling quick actions, akin to a smartwatch.