Meta is enhancing its collaboration with Ray-Ban to introduce video call capabilities to their Smart Glasses, utilizing platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. This new feature will allow users to share their viewpoint directly through the camera embedded in the glasses. Meta has announced that this function will be rolled out gradually and will also be available in Germany, although a specific timeline has not yet been disclosed.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased how video calls would work on the Smart Glasses in a post on Instagram. In his demonstration, his conversation partner wears the glasses and looks into a mirror, enabling viewers to see her face as well. The Meta glasses are equipped with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. The second lens hole on the other side of the glasses serves as a dummy to maintain symmetry. The camera is capable of recording video in 1080p30 resolution.
New Designs and Features
Meta has also announced several new designs for its Ray-Ban glasses, which, however, do not appear to include hardware upgrades. The Meta AI, responsible for many of the glasses’ features, remains unavailable in Germany. Meta has not provided any information on when these functionalities might be introduced to the German market.
Many of the more intriguing Smart Glasses features are powered by Meta AI. Recently, Meta released a beta version that allows the glasses to recognize landmarks and provide information about them. Zuckerberg demonstrated this capability as well, showing how the glasses could identify the Roosevelt Arch in Yellowstone National Park and relay information through bone conduction speakers.
The Ray-Ban Smart Glasses by Meta are available for purchase in Germany in two versions, starting at a minimum price of 360 euros. Without the AI assistant features, the glasses are primarily useful for live streaming to Meta platforms.
