Meta has introduced its first camera-free smart glasses as the technology industry faces increasing questions about privacy and the use of wearable cameras.
The new Ray-Ban Meta Audio was unveiled at Meta Connect on Wednesday alongside a broader expansion of the company’s AI-powered glasses lineup.
The audio-only glasses allow users to listen to music, make phone calls and interact with Meta’s AI assistant without having a built-in camera.
New Glasses Cost $349
Meta said Ray-Ban Meta Audio will start at $349, with shipments scheduled to begin on October 13.
The glasses are designed to be lightweight, weighing approximately 43 grams.
Meta says they can operate for up to 12 hours on one charge, while the accompanying charging case provides additional power.
The product comes in Clubmaster and Burbank designs, with 23 colour and lens combinations available.
Camera-Free Design Targets Privacy Concerns
The decision to remove the camera comes as smart glasses have attracted criticism over the possibility of discreet recording.
Privacy regulators and advocacy groups in several countries have raised concerns about people being filmed without their knowledge.
French authorities, for example, have increased scrutiny of smart glasses amid concerns about privacy and harassment.
Meta’s existing camera-equipped glasses include an external LED recording indicator.
The company says the indicator has been made increasingly prominent so people can more easily recognise when the glasses are recording.
Muse Expands Across Meta’s Wearables
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also highlighted Muse, the company’s personal AI agent, during the Connect event.
Meta says Muse will serve as a central interface for its AI glasses, allowing users to communicate with the assistant and perform tasks without using their hands.
The company is betting that glasses could become an important way for consumers to access AI as wearable technology develops.
Meta Keeps Camera-Based Glasses
While the new Ray-Ban Meta Audio has no camera, Meta is continuing to develop camera-equipped smart glasses.
Its new Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 includes a 12-megapixel camera capable of recording 3K video, as well as improved battery life and a redesigned frame.
The Gen 3 starts at $449, while Meta is also expanding its broader collection of AI glasses and introducing additional styles.
The contrasting product lines show Meta pursuing two approaches at the same time: camera-equipped glasses for capturing visual content and camera-free models focused on audio and AI interaction.
