Meta glasses in hand. How do they actually work?
Meta glasses are finally arriving in the Philippines.
The Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta devices mark yet another step toward integrating the latest in technology into our daily lives: through an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant at your beck and call; the ability to capture photos and videos from your glasses; and so much more—all without the need for your phone.
That said, how do they actually work? Is Meta AI adaptable to all sorts of queries and situations? And are they more of a novelty than a solution to a present need?
What’s on the shelf?
The Ray-Ban Meta selection will include the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) in Wayfarer, Aviator, and Zena styles.
Each pair comes with a 3K Ultra HD camera for hands-free capture, a six-array microphone for clearer audio, an assignable action button, a charging case, up to nine hours of battery life, and flexible temple tips for comfort.
Meanwhile, Oakley Meta’s HSTN and Vanguard styles are geared toward active lifestyles.
The HSTN also comes with a built-in 3K Ultra HD camera but contains powerful open-ear speakers to cut through the outdoor noise as well as an IPX4 water resistance rating.
Meanwhile, the Oakley Meta Vanguard takes it a step further with a 12MP ultra-wide camera (122° field of view), high decibel open-ear speakers, and advanced wind noise reduction built for running, cycling, and outdoor training. The Vanguard is also compatible with cycling helmets and hats, and has an IP67 water and dust resistance.
How do they work?
The aforementioned models operate quite similarly. Users can capture photos by simply pressing the action button, while videos can be recorded by pressing it for longer. Meanwhile, audio levels can be adjusted through a simple swiping gesture on the side of the frames.
But the functionality of the glasses opens up through voice commands. By simply saying “Meta, can you…,” the AI can adhere to all sorts of queries and requests.
Here are some that I personally tried:
- You can ask AI to capture a photo and then have it post it on Instagram Stories
- You can also have the glasses review a piece of text you’re looking at, and then have it translate it for you in your preferred language
- You can also play music from your selected streaming platform and the specific playlist of your choosing
This is on top of any questions you may normally ask any AI assistant—from today’s weather and your current location to even the latest news stories.
Pain points
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows with Meta glasses. As it is with AI, there were occasions when Meta would give a completely inaccurate response to what was asked. During our hands-on experience, I asked where my current location was: It replied that we were in Caloocan when I was actually in Makati.
Because it’s reliant on a microphone, there were also many instances when the glasses weren’t able to pick up my voice, requiring me to prompt it several times. The audio levels are quite weak as well and I had to turn it up to its highest levels just to hear music or the AI response, which can unfortunately be picked up by those nearby.
Simply put, excluding the photo and video capture capabilities, the Meta glasses come up short in features that having a wireless headset and a phone can easily do. It’s a novelty that adds to a growing ecosystem of wearable technology, without replacing the basics we already have.
