At today’s Connect event in Menlo Park, Meta took the wraps off its latest smart glasses. We had the opportunity to spend some time with these cutting-edge wearables and were impressed by their capabilities, particularly in the area of livestreaming.
A Missing Feature from the Last Generation
One notable feature that was noticeably absent from the last generation of smart glasses is now included in this new iteration: the ability to livestream content. This functionality is a significant upgrade, allowing users to capture and share their experiences in real-time.
Multimodal Update Brings New Features Next Year
The Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses will receive an additional feature set through a software update scheduled for next year. The ‘multimodal’ update introduces several intriguing features that demonstrate the potential of these wearables:
- Landmark Identification: The ability to identify landmarks in front of you is a remarkable capability that showcases the device’s potential for real-world applications.
- Sign Translation: Translating signs in foreign languages is another feature that highlights the device’s capabilities, although it falls short of live voice translation promised by Google a few years ago.
Limitations due to Heads-Up Display
While these features are impressive, they do not take full advantage of the device’s potential. The lack of a heads-up display (HUD) is a notable limitation that restricts the wearables’ functionality. As a result, most interactions occur through voice commands rather than direct visual input.
A Glimpse into Future Capabilities
Although these smart glasses are an excellent start, they pale in comparison to what we can expect from future generations of devices. The multimodal update and other emerging features demonstrate the rapid advancements being made in this field. These innovations will undoubtedly lead to more sophisticated wearables that seamlessly integrate with our daily lives.
Related Developments
Several other companies are also pushing the boundaries of smart glasses technology:
- Google: Still working on its unreleased smart glasses, which promised live voice translation capabilities.
- Samsung: Has integrated live translate features into their TVs at CES 2025.
These advancements underscore the rapid evolution of this sector and the innovative strides being made in wearable technology.
Conclusion
Meta’s latest smart glasses offer an exciting glimpse into the future of wearable technology. With significant upgrades to features such as livestreaming, landmark identification, and sign translation, these devices showcase the immense potential for innovation in this field. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more sophisticated wearables that will revolutionize our daily interactions.
Future Developments
We will continue to follow Meta’s progress with its Ray-Ban smart glasses, as well as other companies pushing the boundaries of wearable technology. Stay tuned for updates on these developments and their potential impact on our lives.
About the Author
Brian Heater is the Hardware Editor at TechCrunch. He has extensive experience in writing about emerging technologies and innovations. His work has appeared in various publications, including Engadget, PCMag, Laptop, and Tech Times.
