Meta unveils the Ray-Ban Meta Audio, its first pair of glasses without cameras, offering up to 12 hours of battery life, starting at $349 and shipping October 3

Meta's camera-less smart glasses are now available for purchase, making AI-powered audio features in eyewear more accessible without privacy concerns.

Meta has launched the Ray-Ban Meta Audio Glasses, its first smart glasses without cameras, priced at $349 and available from October 3. These audio-focused glasses offer up to 12 hours of battery life and integrate Meta AI for tasks like taking calls and playing music. The company also announced the third generation of its camera-equipped Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, starting at $449 with a slight battery boost and enhanced audio features. Additionally, Meta is expanding its lower-cost Meta Glasses line with new styles and celebrity collaborations, including Lisa from Blackpink and Kylie Jenner. The company is also integrating its personal AI agent, Muse, across its smart glasses, with plans to offer over 100 versions of its glasses by year-end, aiming to establish a significant presence in the next era of mobile computing. A new FDA-cleared hearing assistance feature will be available for an additional $149.

Meta's strategic pivot to camera-less smart glasses, exemplified by the Ray-Ban Meta Audio, signals a significant market response to public privacy concerns surrounding wearable surveillance technology. By prioritizing audio functionality and Meta AI integration, the company aims to capture a broader audience less wary of overt recording capabilities. This move also allows for improved design flexibility and extended battery life, potentially making smart glasses more appealing as everyday accessories.

The proliferation of Meta Glasses with celebrity collaborations and diverse styles suggests a concerted effort to democratize smart eyewear and appeal to a wider demographic, particularly women. The integration of Meta's AI agent, Muse, across all their smart glasses iterations, alongside features like FDA-cleared hearing assistance, indicates Meta's ambition to embed AI deeply into personal devices and position these glasses as a central component of future mobile computing ecosystems.