(Image source from: Cnbctv18.com)
On Monday, Ray-Ban Meta Glasses made their debut in India. These smart glasses, created through a partnership with EssilorLuxottica, feature a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, built-in open-ear speakers, and microphones, enabling users to take photos and videos, enjoy music, and engage in conversations while on the move. Incorporating Meta AI, the company's voice-activated artificial intelligence assistant, users can activate hands-free music identification, request live translations, and ask questions about their environment through voice commands. In India, the starting price for the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses is Rs. 29,900 for the models Skyler and Wayfarer in a Shiny Black finish. There is a Wayfarer Matte Black version available at Rs. 32,100, while the Skyler Chalk Grey and Wayfarer Matte Black styles are priced at Rs. 35,700.
Pre-orders for these smart glasses are open as of today, with sales commencing on May 19 through Ray-Ban.com and various optical and sunglass retailers throughout India. The Ray-Ban Meta Glasses are equipped with a 12-megapixel camera and an LED light nestled within two circular cutouts placed on either side of the frame. This LED light serves as a recording indicator when video capture is activated. Users can take pictures at a resolution of 3,024 x 4,032 pixels, along with recording 1080p videos for up to 60 seconds, which can then be shared on Meta apps like Facebook and Instagram. Additionally, the Meta View app enables sharing across other social media platforms.
With the camera and a five-microphone setup, the glasses allow for live streaming in a first-person perspective on Facebook and Instagram, showing viewers what the wearer is seeing in real time. These smart glasses are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon AR1 Gen1 Platform SoC and feature 32GB of internal storage. According to Meta, a full charge provides up to four hours of battery life, and using the charging case extends this by an additional 32 hours. They hold an IPX4 rating for water resistance. Significantly relying on artificial intelligence, the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses utilize the proprietary Meta AI assistant, which can be activated with the phrase “Hey Meta AI” for various hands-free tasks.
For instance, users can inquire, “Hey Meta, what is this song?” and the glasses will recognize the song using Shazam. This functionality is particularly useful in settings where appealing music is playing, like cafes or stores, as it helps users identify a song or artist without missing out. Moreover, they provide real-time translation from English to Spanish, French, or Italian with a straightforward command, “Hey Meta, start live translation.” The translation audio is delivered through the open-ear speakers, alongside an option to receive a written transcription. Furthermore, Meta's smart glasses include a Live AI feature that monitors the video feed in real-time using the 12-megapixel camera.
Users have the ability to activate Meta AI without needing to say "Hey Meta." They can inquire about their environment and ask additional questions afterwards. Another functionality includes the capability to send and receive direct messages, images, audio calls, and video calls directly from the app on the glasses. For instance, users can command the glasses by saying, "Hey Meta, message Lisa on Instagram," and it will dispatch a direct message on Instagram as stated by the company.
Individuals using Ray-Ban Meta Glasses can enjoy music through services like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music. The glasses utilize their voice search feature, enabling users to listen to songs, playlists, albums, stations, or artists simply by asking. Furthermore, users can inquire about the songs they are currently playing.
