Meta’s first camera-free smart glasses are officially here. The Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses went on sale today starting at $349, and they work with both iPhones and Android phones through the Meta AI app.
According to Meta, Ray-Ban Meta Audio packs open-ear speakers, six microphones, and Meta AI into its lightest and slimmest glasses yet. At just 43 grams, they’re noticeably lighter than Meta’s camera-equipped models. You can listen to music and podcasts, take calls, translate conversations, and ask Meta AI questions, all without pulling out your phone.
Battery life is the other big win. Meta says the glasses last up to 12 hours on a single charge, or up to six hours of continuous audio playback. The charging case adds up to another 48 hours of use.
Ray-Ban Meta Audio comes in two styles, the retro-inspired Clubmaster and the more rectangular Burbank. It offers 23 frame and lens combinations, and every one is available with prescription lenses. Meta also built in over-extension hinges, adjustable temple tips, and swappable or adjustable nose pads for all-day comfort. You can buy them now at Meta.com, Ray-Ban.com, Ray-Ban stores, Meta Lab stores, and select retailers like Best Buy.
Why ditching the camera makes sense
The camera has always been the most controversial part of Meta’s glasses. Privacy concerns have followed them since day one, and some people simply don’t want a camera on their face, or on the face of the person they’re talking to. Ray-Ban Meta Audio removes that problem entirely.
Personally, I use my Ray-Ban Metas for content creation, so the camera is the whole point for me. But I know plenty of people who love the idea of smart glasses and just don’t want to record anything. For them, this is the pair to get.
The bigger competition here isn’t other smart glasses. It’s wireless earbuds. At $349, Ray-Ban Meta Audio costs more than Apple’s new AirPods 5. But if you already wear glasses every day, combining your frames and your earbuds into one device is pretty compelling.
If you want the camera, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) starts at $449 and lasts up to nine hours. And if you’re after a true spatial computer, the XREAL AURA with Android XR is coming soon, priced at $1,279. It’s never been a better time to buy smart glasses.
The post Ray-Ban Meta Audio Is Out Now, and It Ditches the One Thing People Hated appeared first on Android Headlines.
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