(Credit: Meta)
New AI features for Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses put an emphasis on conversational abilities.
The wearer can now kick off a conversation by saying "Hey Meta," and ask follow-up questions without saying "Hey Meta" again. You also no longer have to say "look" to ask the glasses about something you're seeing.
The glasses can act as a conversation partner while you're on-the-go, thanks to a newly added video feed that provides "continuous real-time help," Meta says. For example, they can point out landmarks on a walking tour, or meal plan while the wearer is walking around the grocery store. You can also ask the glasses to remember where you parked, or to record and send voice messages on WhatsApp and Messenger.
Meta is adding real-time translation capabilities "soon." If the wearer is faced with someone speaking Spanish, French, or Italian, they will hear what they're saying in English through tiny, open-ear speakers.
A slew of new partnerships integrate the glasses with popular apps like Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, and iHeart. Meta is also partnering with Be My Eyes, a free app that "connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers." The volunteer can step into the vision-impaired person's point of view and explain their surroundings.
The Ray-Ban updates are in-theme with the other features announced today at Meta Connect. The event was all about virtual reality, including the launch of the budget-friendly Quest 3S, and the ability to have conversations with the Meta AI assistant in Meta-owned apps.