Ray-Ban Meta: next-gen smartglasses

EssilorLuxottica and Meta are poised to introduce their next generation of smartglasses, Ray-Ban Meta, offering what they describe as the first eyewear with livestreaming and Meta AI built-in, plus a redesigned, more intuitive app and charging case.

The Ray-Ban Meta collection is in a league of its own, with features that have never fit inside a pair of glasses before, said Rocco Basilico, EssilorLuxottica chief wearables officer. “The world sees you in a pair of your favourite Wayfarer, perhaps with your own prescription and Transitions lenses, but you know you have this powerful universe of tech inside. Meta AI, livestreaming and insanely crisp audio and calling capabilities – all hands-free. This is what we imagined when we first decided to enter this space. Truly wearable, life-enhancing technology.”

The livestreaming function allows wearers to broadcast their experiences, toggling between the glasses and phone camera to Instagram Live or Facebook Live for up to 30 minutes.

The new camera goes from 5MP to an ultrawide 12MP, offering high-quality photos and immersive 1080p videos in portrait orientation. The open-ear speakers have increased bass response and noise suppression, enhancing the overall audio quality, said Basilico. Each pair can be found with five built-in microphones to support seamless switching between music and calls, while still allowing the wearer to hear the ambient sound of their surroundings, he said.

The Ray-Ban Meta collection features 21 styles, colours, and lens variations. They are available in the iconic Wayfarer and Wayfarer Large, along with a new style, Headliner, a more universal design.

The collection is available from mid-October in select markets, including Australia.