After the introduction of innovative concepts of smartwatches, virtual, augmented, and mixed reality headsets in the wearable tech category, next up, we have the smart sunglasses. One would think it would be a mere conceptual device without any significant substance to continue into a developmental and progressive phase. But the recent announcement of Ray-Ban Meta Glasses at the Connect event proves otherwise, hinting at the fact that they're ready to blend right into the ever-expanding world of technology.

Unlike the Ray-Ban Stories, which appeared to integrate fairly standard tech features like a camera and speakers into a familiar-looking frame, only to steal the limelight from the Snap Spectacles, these next generation Facebook glasses actually bring some substance to the table. Now that doesn’t mean the designers at Meta have added some mixed-reality features into this sleek and streamlined device. That’s reserved for the Meta Quest 3 headset announced at the same event. 

So, what are the advancements made to this model that has everyone wanting to get a pair for themselves?

Design

Given the amount of electronics and circuitry integrated into Ray-Ban Meta, the frames are barely any thicker than the regular Ray-Bans. This fact alone eliminates the immediate issue people experienced with the Ray-Ban Stories, which were quite chunky for a gadget with underwhelming specs.

These smart glasses come in the iconic Wayfarer styles with regular and large variants, which is nothing new, of course. But taking a step further, the new Headliner style has surely become the talk of the town.

In addition to the existing shiny and matte black finishes, this time the makers bring the semi-transparent series, featuring Rebel Black, Jeans, and Caramel color options. 

But it doesn’t just stop there. You can also add polarized or prescription lenses, giving yourself over 150 combinations. That's way more customization options than before.

However, with all the technology incorporated within a sleek and classy frame, the thickness of the lens is somewhat limited. So for all those out of the -6 to +4 range, they’ll have to compromise and stick to the contacts or wait for the next release.

Camera

A jump from the 5 megapixels to 12 megapixels camera paired with an ultra-wide sensor? About time! I mean the last iPhone equipped with the 5 MP camera was iPhone 4, released in 2010, compared to the Ray-Ban Stories that made its debut in 2021. Of course, we’ve given more freedom to these designers considering it is a fairly new concept of tech. It was high time the camera received its long-due upgrade.

But what makes this purchase even more worthwhile is the shift from 4 GB storage to a generous 32 GB. Now, that’s literally a next generation smart eyewear. The current frame rate for capturing video is 1080 pixels at 30 fps with an improved stabilization. But you can only record up to 60 seconds of a video.

For people who’d like to capture for a longer time, they can use the new live feature that can be directly connected to social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram mainly, obviously). With only a click of a button, you can switch between your phone and glasses camera, the latter being an accurate POV footage. Not to mention, these glasses will automatically read-out the comments and reactions during your live session. Talk about convenience!

However, the video quality for live streaming greatly depends on your network speed and other relevant factors, so it's not a reliable go-to option when you’re aiming for high-quality POV shots atop mountains.

Along with the physical button to capture photos and videos, this revamp model comes equipped with voice control shutter activation. Now, capture photos and videos, go livestream, or even share the captured media, all without using your hands.

The capture LED alert light is slightly bigger and flashes white pulses instead of the Stories’ static red light. This minor tweak is supposedly more noticeable even when present in the range of lighting conditions. The sensor, alongside, refuses to capture anything if the LED light is blocked or covered. Seems like Meta finally gave importance to privacy concerns, pretty ironic!

Speakers

With everything about these Ray-Ban smart glasses being upgraded, it seemed almost unjust to neglect the speakers. In its new look, the sleek design features thinner arms and a larger touchpad simultaneously. With single and double taps near your temple you can play, pause, or skip the current track, while swiping forward and back allows you to adjust the volume.

But the most-awaited improvement has to be the new speakers. Not only are they 50 percent more loud with double the bass than the previous generation but also provide directional audio, curbing the audio leakage problem of the Stories.

Moreover, this new generation smart glasses has five built-in mics, aimed at improving spatial audio. And as if the voice quality had to be further improved, there’s also a hidden receiver in the nose, to turn those calls into an experience. You can almost tell they’re meant to replace the need for a smartphone in public spaces, all for good reasons.

As you probably anticipated, the speakers also support Spatial Audio. After all, what would be the point of including this feature in the microphone if you couldn't enjoy the experience yourself?

Charging Case

Many would think the only upgradable aspect of a charging case is the number of power cycles it offers. However, Ray-Ban teamed up with Meta to dispel this very myth, and more. This time, the Meta Glasses charging case has received a complete makeover, resembling the traditional Ray-Ban protective pouch. It features an LED light on the front to indicate battery life and a USB-C port for charging, of course. In terms of the battery indicator, a green light means you’re ready to go, yellow indicates it could use some more charge, and red means you're really low on battery. However, it only comes in the color tan, so you don't have many options there.

The good news, though, is that one charge can power the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses for up to 6 hours of regular use and 4 hours if you’re livestreaming. While the case can provide up to 8 additional full charges. So, you can go without needing a USB-C cable for 36 to 48 hours.

Ultimate Experience: Tailored For Sharing

When it comes to content creators interested in perspective captures, the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses seem to be a promising tool. They offer a capture resolution of 3024 x 4032 for stills and 1330 x 1920 for videos. This vertical ratio, compared to the Stories’ 2592 x 1984 pixels for stills and 1184 x 1184 pixels for video, clearly indicates that everything captured with these glasses is meant for sharing on social media. Though it would be too early to say whether it would appeal to an average user.

With better image quality, a more sensitive mic, and louder speakers, not to mention the live-streaming features, it's not a mystery why Meta finally decided to put its name on this product.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the user experience that Meta claims to have seemingly improved with its new Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. And it would be safe to say that this latest collab just might be the icebreaker for the emergence of more such sensor-based, hands-free tech gadgets. Certainly leaving room for more potential to be unlocked in the future.