Meta announced privacy-focused features and new wearable hardware at its annual conference, including a VR headset that looks like regular glasses.
Published
Meta unveiled multiple new smart glasses at its Meta Connect event, responding to longstanding privacy criticism with its first camera-free wearable. The Ray-Ban Meta Audio Glasses contain no cameras, addressing public backlash against wearable surveillance that the company has faced. CEO Mark Zuckerberg also announced the company is bringing its Private Processing encryption service to its smart glasses, a direct bid to reassure privacy-conscious users.
The most visually striking announcement was the Meta VR Glasses, a slimmed-down VR headset that sits on the ears like conventional glasses rather than strapping over the head. The device features immersive displays for movies, games, and productivity work, housed in hefty black sunglasses with blacked-out lenses. This represents a significant departure from traditional VR headsets that require bulky face enclosures.
Meta also announced the Muse AI agent is coming to its smart glasses. Users will be able to activate Muse by voice to handle tasks like guiding workouts, logging meals, or shopping assistance. The company stated it is "working on" bringing the agent to both existing and newly unveiled glasses.
The camera-free Audio Glasses signal Meta's attempt to distance its products from the "pervert glasses" stigma that has plagued wearable camera technology in public spaces.