High-Tech Shades for Concerts, Content, and More

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It’s no secret that the little black bricks in our pockets can be a major attention hog, but paradoxically, there are some situations where integrating tech in more places makes it less obtrusive. Take Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses, which let you record photos, video, and more, all while keeping your phone securely stashed. 

First released in 2023, Meta’s Ray-Ban AI glasses have outlasted other smart glasses for one simple, undeniable reason — they don’t look ridiculous. Instead, Meta smartly leveraged the recognizable style of the world’s most iconic eyewear brand, landing on a design that’s barely more conspicuous than regular Wayfarers. 

In the two years since, the Meta Ray-Bans have gotten even more useful, with AI features that can be used to answer questions about the world around you. Spotted an interesting-looking tree? Ask Meta what it is. There’s also live translation, which transcribes conversations in real-time, a boon for anyone who let their Duolingo streak lapse. 

AI Features (That Are Actually Useful)

Taking the glasses for a lap around the block, I was impressed by how quickly — and unobtrusively — Meta was able to identify the world around me. After a couple of seconds, it told me what kind of tree I was looking at, or a parked car across the street. The photos and questions are saved to the Meta AI app, so they’re easy to refer back to later. 

With live translations, you can also transcribe conversations in real time. So far, you can translate from French, Italian, Spanish, or English. 

Open World Audio

With speakers on the temples, the Meta Ray-Ban glasses make a surprisingly good alternative to earbuds for outdoor workouts or commutes. While the audio isn’t quite on par with our favorite open-ear earbuds, it’s still crisp and clear enough for everyday use. The controls are also easy to use, featuring a slider on both the left and right sides to adjust the volume.

You can expect some audio leakage, so while it may not be the ideal option to use in a quiet office space, it won’t distract others on the subway car, for example. As an open-ear design, they won’t isolate you from outside noise, but this can be beneficial in situations that require awareness of your surroundings. They also have wear detection, automatically pausing your music when you take them off. 

The Meta Ray-Bans aren’t the first audio sunglasses on the market, but they’re less conspicuous than other options, which adds to their appeal as everyday wear. The temples are still thicker than Ray-Ban’s standard Wayfarers, but they’re hardly obtrusive — they just look like thick-framed glasses. 

Concert-ready

It’s natural to want to capture your favorite songs at a concert, but experiencing an event through your phone screen can take you out of the moment. With the ability to record up to three minutes of video at a time, along with surprisingly crisp photography, the Meta Ray-Bans make for a great companion at concerts and festivals.

There are some trade-offs; you can’t zoom, and if you bop your head along to the music, that’ll make the picture less stable. But it’s still a great way to capture a quick video without fishing out your phone.

You can either prompt the camera with “Hey Meta” or use the shutter button located on the right temple. The camera features a small flash that indicates a photo or video is being filmed, a privacy measure to let bystanders know you’re filming. Photos and videos are saved in the Meta AI app, from which you can import to your phone’s gallery app. 

While some of the AI features are surprisingly useful, particularly the ability to identify objects and translate text, these glasses are still useful without AI. They’re photochromic sunglasses, and not bad-looking ones, either, so they’ll protect your eyes. The ability to take photos and videos with just a snap is great for runners or anyone who’s constantly on the move. The solid audio performance makes them a great option for listening to music and podcasts, too.