Meta's and Ray-Ban's Smart Glasses Are A Game Changer
Meta's smart glasses 👓 proved to be a real game changer for me, especially as an active, who also happens to be a parent and loves taking photos and videos. It's a great fit for many others, but this isn't a marketing or sponsored post, so I'll just relate my experience. I've been using the glasses for over two years, currently on the second generation.
🕶️ SUMMARY CENTRAL 🕶️
Capture good quality photos and videos while experiencing the world directly without a screen intermediary
The camera placement provides an exact point of view experience that makes reliving the moment much more vivid
Unobtrusive design that looks just like regular glasses that you can wear anywhere. It also helps capture candid moments without people posing (but there's a clear indication when capturing, so it's not about sneakyness)
Always ready, button or voice-activated, very fast and doesn’t require an additional device
Open-ear speakers for safe listening to music and audiobooks while running, walking, etc.
Suitable for making calls with better voice quality due to microphone placement closer to your mouth
While not cheap at a little above $300, they're still in the same range of regular high quality sunglasses.
The one feature I regret losing with the new version of the app is the ability to create a short summary video from all the videos and photos you've taken. It was much more digestible and I felt better sharing a clip with music rather than my very audible panting while running 🙂
If you'd like to learn more, here's all of the above in a bit more detail. I've tried separating it into clear sections for easy browsing.
🌎 Experience the World, Not Just the Screen
When using a smartphone to capture moments, you often find yourself focusing on the screen to keep the subject in frame. This means you’re not fully present in the moment, but rather watching a reproduction of it on your device. With Meta Smart Glasses, you can engage with the live action happening, hands free, in front of you, enjoying a richer and more authentic experience, also know as life.
👀 Capture Life as You See It
One of the standout features of the Meta Smart Glasses is the camera placement. Positioned right next to your eyes, the camera captures footage from your exact point of view. It's a stark difference when compared to other devices like helmet-mounted or chest-mounted cameras (and obviously handheld devices). When you watch the footage later, it feels like you’re truly reliving the moment, seeing it just as you did the first time.
👶 Unobtrusive Recording
The unobtrusiveness of the indication light is another highlight. While it lets people know when they’re being recorded, it’s much less intrusive than pulling out a phone or a camera. This is especially beneficial when photographing or recording kids or candid moments, as people tend to act more naturally without a device in their face. I'm sure that just like me, you've tried to get your kids to make the cute face again, but getting the forced-camera smile instead.
⚡️ Always Ready and Easy to Use
The Meta Smart Glasses are always ready to capture the moment. They are voice-activated and can be controlled with a simple tap, eliminating the need to pull out an additional device. This convenience ensures that you never miss a moment, as the glasses are always on you and ready to go.
🎧 More Than Just a Camera
These glasses are not limited to just taking photos and videos. They come equipped with open-ear speakers, allowing you to listen to music, audiobooks, and podcasts without blocking your hearing. This makes them safe to use while running or walking, as you can stay aware of your surroundings. The speakers are loud enough for personal use but not disruptive to others. The first generation called RayBan Stories had considerably lower max volume which made it hard for me to hear when on anything but neighborhood streets or nature trails, but it's now completely solved with the second generation.
🎤 Superior Call Quality
Making calls with Meta Smart Glasses is another great and unexpected advantage. The microphone, being closer to your mouth, provides better voice quality compared to traditional earbuds. This ensures clear and crisp communication, whether you’re making calls.
💰 Affordable and Accessible
While Meta Smart Glasses are not cheap, they are priced reasonably compared to other tech-enabled devices, as well as high quality glasses. Costing around $300, they are more affordable than most modern smartphones. Considering the range of features they offer, they provide great value for their price, making them accessible for everyday use.
📱 Convenient and Private
The glasses are rechargeable, have ample memory, and sync automatically with an app (and no, you don't have to post anything to Facebook, Instagram or any other Meta products) allowing you to manage your media effortlessly. The video clips, which can be up to 60 seconds, are easy to share and digest if you do want to.
📸 High-Quality Camera
The second-generation Meta Smart Glasses feature a 12-megapixel camera with image stabilization. This ensures high-quality, stable photos and videos, even when you’re on the move. While it may not match the top smartphones, the quality is still very impressive, and the convenience is just unparalleled.
🔮 A Glimpse into the Future
While these glasses do not feature augmented reality, they do have AI capabilities that can identify objects in photos and provide information about them. This hints at the potential future applications of the device, but to be honest, I haven't found any real life uses yet beyond the novelty effect.
📋 Conclusion
I definitely recommend these smart glasses to most people I meet. There are a ton of use cases for anyone who loves capturing and sharing moments of their lives, as close to the way they've experienced them. Speaking from my personal experience and usage, they are perfect for active people that love capturing glimpses of their experiences without interrupting the moment, for parents that love to candidly take photos and videos of their kids, and for avid podcasts and audio books lovers. Too bad there's no referral program 🙂