After accusations of selling ‘perv glasses,’ Meta prepares to sell a pair without a camera

Meta's new AI-focused smart glasses will be available without a camera, removing a key privacy concern.

Meta is reportedly developing a new smart glasses model, internally codenamed Luna, that will not include a camera. This move comes amid public criticism labeling Meta's current smart glasses as "pervert glasses" due to privacy concerns. The Luna glasses will focus on AI integration, featuring six built-in microphones to facilitate communication with Meta's AI chatbot and its consumer agent, Muse. Users will be able to activate the AI system by pressing a button on the side of the glasses. The new model is expected to be unveiled at Meta's upcoming hardware and developer event, Meta Connect, potentially next week. Despite growing interest in the smart glasses market, Meta's Reality Labs division, responsible for these devices, continues to incur significant financial losses, according to its April earnings report.

Meta's strategic shift with the Luna model indicates a pivot towards prioritizing AI interaction over integrated surveillance capabilities in its smart glasses. By removing the camera, Meta aims to address significant privacy backlash and potentially broaden consumer adoption, acknowledging the market's sensitivity to data collection. This decision suggests a recognition that AI-driven assistance, powered by voice input, may be a more viable path forward for augmented reality hardware than visual data capture, especially as the company seeks to revitalize its struggling Reality Labs division.

The development of Luna signifies a broader trend in the wearable technology market, where the perceived utility and privacy implications of device features heavily influence consumer acceptance. For Meta, successfully launching a camera-less, AI-centric smart glasses product could set a precedent for future iterations and competitors. It also presents an opportunity to differentiate its offerings from existing smart glasses that predominantly rely on visual recording, potentially attracting a user base wary of constant video capture but open to AI-powered contextual assistance.