Updated
Updated · Engadget · Jun 22
Meta Launches $499 Ray-Ban Optics Glasses With Better Fit as Prescription Costs Top $700
Updated
Updated · Engadget · Jun 22

Meta Launches $499 Ray-Ban Optics Glasses With Better Fit as Prescription Costs Top $700

3 articles · Updated · Engadget · Jun 22

Summary

  • $499 Ray-Ban Meta Optics frames are positioned as the most comfortable prescription-ready version yet, with swappable nose pads, moldable tips and slightly improved battery life of more than 8 hours.
  • Meta also adds an action button and upgrades onboard assistance to its Muse Spark model, making replies faster and more conversational while letting users trigger tasks like reading the latest text without saying 'Hey Meta.'
  • That AI upgrade brings trade-offs: the glasses can keep listening for about 20 seconds by default, and nutrition and visual-recognition features worked inconsistently in testing.
  • Prescription lenses sharply raise the cost—one reviewed configuration topped $700 before tax and shipping—making the glasses hard to justify for many buyers unless insurance offsets the price.
  • Privacy concerns still shadow the product, with cloud voice-storage rules, AI training on some multimodal images and reports Meta explored facial-recognition features adding to hesitation around everyday wear.

Insights

Meta's glasses dominate sales despite privacy scandals. Can Google's upcoming eyewear offer a more trustworthy alternative?
After Meta secretly added facial recognition code, can its always-on camera ever truly be considered safe?
With user footage sent to human reviewers, what protects bystanders unknowingly filmed by Meta's smart glasses?