Spy glasses are no longer just for fictional characters like James Bond or Black Mirror. The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, the brand-new product from Ray-Ban and Meta, are a pair of sunglasses with photo, video, and audio capabilities. Although they combine a digital camera, a wireless headphone, and a UV protector, are they any good?
On an unusually sunny day in the UK, we put the Ray-Ban Wayfarers 2.0 through their paces before the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses hit the stores.
Design & build: cam couture
Not exactly recognized for its cutting-edge fashion, Meta. The fan base of the Zuckerberg corporation is not quite as large as that of Apple, which is also waning in favor with ardent users. While Meta may be establishing itself as a pioneer in virtual reality, the business is content to let others handle the research when it comes to clothing.
The luxury eyewear firm Ray-Ban, founded in 1929, enters the picture. For many years, James Dean impersonators and fashion-conscious bikers have preferred Ray-Ban sunglasses. The Wayfarers, one of their most well-known lines, are as American as apple pie. The fundamentals of these new spectacles haven’t changed much since Ray-Ban sunglasses first appeared on store shelves prior to World War 2.
The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses consistently have a premium feel. I’m trying out the Wayfarers, a classic style made well-known by people like Tom Cruise and Andy Warhol. Although I don’t quite manage to pull them off as Hollywood movie stars do, the broad frames and rounded curves will look good on a variety of face shapes.
Over 150 different frame and lens combinations are available for the new glasses to be customized.
Camera: user-friendly, but limited
A small button on top of the right temple controls every aspect of the camera. When pressed once, the button takes a picture; when held down, it starts recording video. A ‘Hey Meta, take a photo’ prompt can also be used to take a picture. The glasses can record 1080p video for up to 60 seconds and 12MP still photographs. Additionally, livestreaming over Facebook and Instagram is supported by the glasses.
Image quality is outstanding for a camera that’s built into a pair of sunglasses, even though it won’t compare to that of an iPhone 15 or Pixel 8 Pro. Colors can appear vivid and strong in the appropriate lighting.
Beyond that, though, the camera doesn’t really stand up well on its own. In sunny settings, the glasses are prone to lens flare. Finer details are lacking in busy photos, such as those of crowded places or expansive landscapes. Results from using the glasses in either photo or video mode are frequently hazy. Having said that, the audio recording is crisp and well-balanced. The wearer’s speech and a subject aren’t much different in volume.
Additionally, getting the photo you truly want can be pretty challenging. Even when I believe my field of vision is unobstructed, I frequently discover an extra foot or finger in my pictures. There is no other way to see what you’re snapping in real time save donning the sunglasses. You can take a picture, check it on your phone, then take another one if necessary. However, there are too many steps to do when a phone camera would be preferable.
Sound: Ray-von Audio surpasses earlier models. The speakers, according to Meta, are 50% louder than the previous model, pump out twice as much bass, and have less audio bleed. Although a nice feature, it serves little purpose. Even the most inexpensive headphones or earbuds can outperform the glasses. Even if there is less leakage now, everyone nearby will still be able to hear your tinny music playing. Additionally, noise cancellation is essentially nonexistent.
When it comes to phone calls, the glasses function far better. A phone call can be answered by tapping twice on the right temple of the spectacles, while a call can be canceled by tapping and holding. It is simple to use and, more significantly, is a function that is actually helpful. As soon as the sunglasses are put on and taken off, the audio instantly connects and disconnects. Although the technology isn’t quite new, the glasses connect over Bluetooth without a problem.
Usability: a nightmare for privacy
You can put on sunglasses on your own; you don’t need our instructions. True, a typical pair isn’t managed by a specific Meta View app, but the basic idea is the same. When it becomes a little too bright, you turn them on and move on. Simple, yes? Not exactly.
It’s challenging, nigh-impossible to use these spectacles in any kind of social setting. The technology is not the cause. Instead, it stems from a sense of self-awareness.
Without their permission, pointing a camera in someone’s face has never been considered socially acceptable. Many people may agree with the arguments made by Twitch and YouTube streamers. Therefore, I personally don’t wish to take pictures of anyone without their permission.
I experience a strong tremble in my bones every time I consider wearing them, whether it is on a train, while shopping, or in my neighborhood park. The entire process seems intrusive and little spooky. I naturally turn my head down as I pass someone on the street as I go through the streets.
I reasoned that I could test them out with my buddies. That was erroneous. Strangers may refrain from telling me what they think of my new, nosy neighbor gadget due to social conventions and good manners. When my pals refuse, I am obediently instructed to remove them (or words to that effect, laced with profanities). And I understand. If I were in your position, I would behave similarly. I would constantly question if folks were truly conversing or if they were just trying to get the perfect picture. It serves as a distraction—an unwelcome one at that.
Verdict
The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses may appear to be top-secret agent technology, but they have far more flaws than advantages. A few of Meta’s flaws, chief among them a drab camera with too many traps, are ironed out by the Ray-Ban name and style. Additionally, the spectacles provide a privacy and security problem.
But what if, in the near future, Meta provided us a substantially superior camera? Would it alter anything? I’m not certain. Not every wheel needs to be reinvented, and occasionally new technology makes an old classic seem dated. The first-generation Ray-Bans are still the finest in this situation.
