Meta Launches Prescription-Compatible Ray-Ban Smart Glasses with AI Features

Meta has unveiled two new Ray-Ban smart glasses models tailored for prescription lens wearers, named the Ray-Ban Meta Blayzer Optics and Ray-Ban Meta Scriber Optics. Priced starting at $499, these frames are currently available for preorder in the United States and are set to arrive at optical retailers in the U.S. and select international markets on April 14. The launch aims to cater to a broad demographic of individuals requiring vision correction, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg noting in January that billions globally use glasses or contacts. The designs differ, with Blayzer featuring rectangular frames and Scriber offering rounded ones, both incorporating adjustable components like hinges, nose pads, and temple tips to enhance comfort and fit for diverse face shapes. These models retain standard smart features, including a camera for photo and video capture, which has sparked privacy debates due to inconspicuous recording. Meta, in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban's owner, holds a dominant market share, accounting for approximately 76.1% of the 9.6 million smart glasses shipped globally last year, with projections of growth to 13.4 million units by 2026. The company has faced criticism over privacy issues, such as potential misuse and facial recognition capabilities. Alongside the hardware, Meta announced software updates, such as AI-driven nutrition logging via voice or images, hands-free WhatsApp message summaries with on-device encryption, and Neural Handwriting for gesture-based responses. Additional enhancements include new color and lens options, turn-by-turn navigation, and simple games for display-enabled glasses.