Meta’s Camera-Free Ray-Ban Audio Glasses Aim to Reboot Smart-Glasses Image

Meta unveiled a new version of its Ray-Ban smart glasses on Thursday that removes the camera entirely. Dubbed Ray-Ban Meta Audio, the device keeps the audio-centric features of the original - phone calls, music playback and voice-activated controls - but eliminates the controversial video-recording function. The company says the product has been in development for two years and will be cheaper, lighter and have a longer battery life than the camera-enabled models.

The original glasses, launched in 2023, were met with swift criticism after reports surfaced of users filming women and girls without consent. The devices earned the nickname “pervert glasses” and were banned in a range of venues, from JD Wetherspoon pubs to major theatres, Comic-Con, several schools and the Faslane naval base. Meta’s enlistment of high-profile model Kylie Jenner in the summer did little to change the public perception.

Meta’s head of product, Ankit Brahmbhatt, said the company now has “something for everyone” but did not commit to whether the audio-only version would outsell the camera-enabled glasses. The statement came amid speculation that the new design could signal a broader shift in how tech firms view the smart-glasses market. Some industry observers see the move as a niche product, similar to the “brick” phones that strip away internet access for users tired of social media.

The author tested the camera-free glasses on public transport in London, Glasgow and Portsmouth. No physical altercations were reported, suggesting that public awareness of the devices may be lower than expected. However, several users expressed reluctance to approach someone wearing the glasses, fearing that the interaction could be recorded and shared. The glasses connect to a phone via Bluetooth and run Meta’s AI app. They are voice-activated, with open speakers that funnel sound directly into the ears, allowing the wearer to hear ambient noise.

While the audio features proved useful for music, podcasts and spoken navigation, the author noted a trade-off: the Meta AI app tracks the wearer’s location continuously. Meta’s reputation for data collection raises concerns about how much personal information is being gathered.

Despite the controversy, smart glasses have found enthusiastic adopters in other circles. A hairdresser praised the ability to record client transformations, a builder saw potential for on-site documentation, and a content creator’s son used the glasses to film a car-washing tutorial. The blind community has also embraced the technology; one user described it as a “game-changer” for audio descriptions of surroundings and reading text aloud. Earlier this year Meta donated 15,000 pairs to a charity for the blind in Ireland.

The glasses feature a blinking white LED that illuminates when the camera is active. A small industry has emerged around disabling that light, with some users taking the glasses apart. Meta reports that less than 0.1 % of frames sold worldwide have been tampered with. Exact sales figures remain undisclosed, but EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban’s parent company, reported seven million units sold last year.

Liz Hunter, a tech founder and activist, has launched a petition demanding tighter regulation of smart glasses. She argues that the devices should remain available for blind users but should not be marketed to the general public. “They should never, ever have left the lab at Meta,” she said, calling the release a betrayal of public trust and a setback for women’s privacy.

A Polish developer has released an app called ZuckOff that uses Bluetooth to detect nearby smart glasses