Since the end of 2023, I have been using Meta Ray-Bans daily: listening to the radio on the road, taking photos or videos without taking out my phone, or recently asking questions to artificial intelligence Meta AI. Do we hold the future large category of technological products?
According to Ray-Ban, the connected glasses resulting from the partnership with Meta are very successful. The company claims it’s the best seller in its own stores, which is a pretty good sign since all previous connected glasses were flops.
Since late 2023, I have been wearing Ray-Ban Metas daily. I fell for this product for taking pictures and videos on vacation… before I completely gave in and used them all the time, sometimes in place of my real glasses.
In a video recorded in London together with my colleague Alfred Tertrais, I talk about my experience with Meta Ray-Ban. The product is surprisingly very pleasant on a daily basis (despite several bugs) and looks even more promising in the future, thanks to the advent of Meta AI, which is not yet available in the EU:
Has Meta found the big high-tech category of the future?
Before Meta Ray-Ban, there were Ray-Ban Stories. Glasses also tested by me, which received a very poor rating of 3 out of 10. It must be said that with their bulky design, the poor quality of their camera and their overheating problems, the Ray-Ban Stories tended to irritate more often than not to amaze.
With Ray-Ban Meta, everything gets better. The product is available in several models, supports different types of glasses (we recommend transparent glasses, to continue using them indoors) and all the technical aspects are better. Photos and videos are prettier, the microphones are exceptional for making calls, and AI, which is gradually being implemented, allows you to chat with a personal assistant who is able to see what you see.
Since the end of 2023, I have been wearing my Meta Ray-Ban glasses every day when I leave the house.
I turn on the radio or a podcast on the way to work, on a scooter or on a bicycle. I sometimes ask the voice assistant (Hey Meta) to turn down the volume, take a video (if a driver is behaving disturbingly) or answer a question that comes to mind. The ability to touch the branch for three seconds to start a music playlist is also handy when the topic mentioned on the radio doesn’t interest me. Finally, I also often make calls outside and use the glasses as a hands-free set. Sound is suspiciously good with superior microphones compared to AirPods Pro.
When I’m on the go, I use Meta Ray-Ban to take photos or videos without a smartphone. An unexpected use is the selfie at the sea or in a swimming pool, by extending my arm with the glasses. It is easier to carry glasses in the water than a smartphone.
Gradually, especially thanks to Meta AI (which doesn’t speak French yet, but works in France with a VPN), the glasses are completely replacing my AirPods. I believe more than ever in this category of products, which has the potential to inspire other big brands like Samsung, Google or Apple to also launch in the connected glasses sector.
The verdict
We liked it
- Ray-Ban design
- Camera quality
- The potential of AI in glasses
- Lots of different models and glasses
We liked less
- Built-in speakers are not very good
- Meta AI does not speak French
- The glasses are still not waterproof
- It is better to take transparent glasses
While you wait for true augmented reality glasses, the ones that allow you to check the time, read a message or watch a movie, Meta Ray-Ban are the first connected glasses that are really useful in everyday life. They are capable of taking real photos and videos, with a quality high enough to be in a photo album. They can also be used as a hands-free kit to listen to music, a podcast or make calls. In short, Meta’s glasses have finally found a use, especially on vacation. Ray-Ban brings credibility to the Meta while offering quality lenses.
Little by little, Meta Ray-Bans will become more than glasses, especially thanks to AI. The ability to ask a voice assistant to translate what you’re seeing is exciting, even if the service doesn’t yet speak French.
The first generation of Meta smart glasses were bad, the second one is better in every way. Ray-Ban Metas are one of those rare life-changing products.