Meta Glasses 2024: Muse AI, New Ray‑Bans and Camera‑Free Models
Meta unveiled a range of new smart glasses at its Connect 2024 conference, featuring the Muse AI assistant, camera‑free audio models, and updated Ray‑Ban Gen 3 frames. The company also introduced an FDA‑cleared hearing enhancement mode and a new collection of designer‑branded glasses, while address…
By Felo News Desk · Published
At Meta’s Connect 2024 developer conference, the company showcased a broad portfolio of new smart glasses, from the AI‑powered Muse agent to camera‑free audio models and updated Ray‑Ban Gen 3 frames. The event highlighted Meta’s push to stay ahead of rivals such as Google, Samsung, and Apple, while attempting to address growing privacy concerns around wearable cameras.
Muse AI on the Glasses
Meta’s Muse AI, already available on phones and Macs, made its first appearance on the company’s glasses during a short demo. The assistant, trained to act like a personal assistant for a 38‑year‑old marketing executive, answered questions about snack choices and helped schedule workouts. The demo was limited to audio interaction, with no visible progress indicators for tasks, and the assistant’s performance lagged on more complex requests.
While Muse can access personal accounts and perform actions such as shopping or data management, Meta has not yet committed to encryption or robust privacy guarantees. The company announced a future “Private Processing” layer that will run on confidential virtual machines in the cloud, a feature already in use on WhatsApp and Meta AI. However, the system is not yet live on the glasses, leaving users wary of handing over agentic control of their data.
New Ray‑Ban Gen 3 and Camera‑Free Audio Models
Meta refreshed its Ray‑Ban partnership with a third‑generation Gen 3 line that offers slightly better battery life—up to nine hours on the best models—and new frame options, including an aviator style. Prices range from $449 to $529 without prescription lenses.
For privacy‑conscious consumers, Meta introduced a camera‑free audio model that removes the built‑in camera entirely. The new “Meta Ray‑Ban Audio” glasses come in two styles—Clubmaster and Burbank—and boast a 12‑hour battery life, a significant improvement over the eight‑to‑nine‑hour range of earlier models. They cost between $379 and $479, making them more expensive than Meta’s own self‑branded glasses, which start at $299.
Hearing Enhancement and Other Features
Meta added an FDA‑cleared hearing enhancement mode that performs a hearing test and tunes audio for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. The feature costs $149, with a 30‑day free trial, or it can be included in a Meta One subscription. The mode uses beam‑forming technology to focus sound on the wearer and can run for up to four hours on recent glasses, longer on the audio‑only models.
Other updates include a new landscape photo mode that crops images digitally, and a hologram avatar system that projects a realistic video‑chat presence onto a phone or VR headset. The hologram feature is currently in beta and available only to a limited test group on WhatsApp.
Designer‑Branded Glasses and Limited‑Edition Charm Sets
Meta announced a collaboration with Thai rapper and actor Lisa, who will release a pair of custom‑branded glasses featuring collectible charms. The collection includes 14 different charms and star‑decorated arms, appealing to fans and collectors. Meta also expanded its overall design catalog, offering over 100 frame styles and colors across all models.
Missing Fitness and Privacy Updates
Despite last year’s Oakley‑branded Vanguard visors and Garmin‑connected workout features, Meta did not introduce new fitness‑specific modes at Connect. The Muse agent can connect to fitness data, but dedicated workout tracking remains sparse. Competitors like Google and Samsung are expected to launch glasses with Fitbit or WearOS integration soon, potentially filling this gap.
Privacy remains a weak point. The glasses still allow users to take photos in public, and the camera‑free models do not address the broader concerns about camera‑equipped wearables. Meta’s promise of a private processing layer is promising but untested on the glasses, leaving uncertainty about data security.
In summary, Meta’s 2024 glasses lineup expands hardware options and introduces AI and hearing‑aid features, but falls short on privacy safeguards and fitness functionality. As Google, Samsung, and Apple prepare to enter the market, Meta’s next moves will determine whether it can keep pace with the rapidly evolving wearable‑AI landscape.
Key facts
- Muse AI demo shows potential but raises privacy concerns
- Camera‑free audio glasses offer longer battery life and privacy
- FDA‑cleared hearing enhancement adds health value at extra cost
- Designer‑branded glasses expand Meta’s style offerings
- Missing fitness updates leave a gap for competitors
Why it matters
Meta’s new glasses lineup showcases the company’s ambition to lead the wearable‑AI market, but the lack of robust privacy and fitness features highlights the challenges that still face the industry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of the new camera‑free Meta Ray‑Ban Audio glasses?
They range from $379 to $479, depending on the style.
Does the hearing enhancement mode require a subscription?
No, it costs a one‑time fee of $149, or it can be included in a Meta One subscription.
Will Muse AI be fully integrated with Meta’s glasses soon?
Meta has announced a future private processing layer, but the exact release timeline for Muse on glasses is still unclear.
Sources
- [1] cnet.com — originally reported as “So Many New Meta Glasses: Muse AI Everywhere, and Ray-Bans Without a Camera”
