Facebook Threatens Civilization with Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses

Facebook/Meta believes that adding features to glasses without improving its primary feature of augmenting/protecting eyesight is the "next big thing" - after the metaverse (which is not to be mentioned). In partnership with EssilorLuxottica, Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a new generation of Ray-Ban Meta "smart glasses" that have speakers on the side, and cameras and microphones in the front. Apparently they are better than the others launched before, that no one bought.
The announcement was done in the same day that Facebook launched the Meta Quest 3 virtual reality goggles, now quickly relaunched as a "mixed reality" platform by adding cameras in the front. An event that desperately attempted to respond to the announcement of Apple's upcoming Vision Pro spatial computing platform. Both Facebook products are also enabled by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 and Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 SoCs, introducing higher GPU and AI performance. The Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 Platform is the first dedicated processor for smart glasses. Smelling of desperation, Qualcomm resorts to calling the new chips "two new spatial computing platforms".

Apparently there is a use case for glasses with spatial computing, because Facebook is committing serious resources to engineer this class of Frankenstein product. According to the announcement, the new glasses "feature improved audio and cameras," over 150 different custom frame and lens combinations, and they’re lighter and more comfortable (than what?). Not only these are battery-powered glasses that need recharging every night, they have cameras and microphones, which is socially unacceptable - as Google had already learned with the gigantic flop that was its Glassholes experience. According to Facebook, the new Ray-Ban Meta glasses are great because "you can now livestream from the glasses to Facebook or Instagram, and use “Hey Meta” to engage with Meta AI, our advanced conversational assistant, just by using your voice."
 
The engineering and design effort was done in partnership with EssilorLuxottica and is supposed to be promoted as the next-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses collection. "We redesigned these from the ground up, improving all the core features of the first generation while adding new capabilities that have never been seen on a pair of smart glasses before," Facebook says, not clarifying if the "first generation" of these contraptions have sold more or less than the Portal, Facebook's previous frustrated attempt to design hardware gear - and which made 1000% more sense then the "Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses".
On the audio front - which is the only reason why audioXpress is mentioning these things - there is apparently an interesting development - and it doesn't mention air conduction. The glasses feature "custom designed speakers with extended bass, higher maximum volume, and improved directional audio that provides reduced audio leakage for improved calls, music, and podcasts — even in noisy or windy environments." These are completely integrated in the frames.

The announcement goes on to say hilarious things like, "From music festivals and birthday parties to first steps, graduations, and beyond, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses free you from the constraints of a hand-held camera. Instead of keeping the world at arm’s length (or worse, missing out on the action completely as you struggle with your smartphone’s lock screen), Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses let you snap a photo or video clip from your unique point of view — allowing you to not only relive the moment, but really live in the moment, too." We cannot make these things up.

The smart glass things will be available in black and two more ugly colors, retailing for $299 USD starting October 17, 2023, in 15 countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and a few countries in Europe.
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