It’s often said that wearing glasses make you look smarter. But do glasses actually make you smarter? Well, if they are the Ray-Ban Meta glasses with AI, then yes, they can make you smarter – or at least help you to act smarter.
The glasses were first introduced in 2021 and Meta sold about 300,000 pairs in 18 months. However, less than 10% were still being actively used two years later. Version 2 of the Ray-Ban framed glasses now available has sold more than 700,000 units.
The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are full of cool features as well as having the iconic Ray-Ban frames. They incorporate a camera, microphones, and artificial intelligence. Want to video with the glasses? Press a button to start a video for 30-or 60-seconds, or longer to three-minutes. Curious about something you see? Ask the AI for help.
Using Meta AI, you can ask questions while wearing the glasses and get a handy assist. For example, you might ask about a building, animal, or something else in your view. You can also take photos and videos, make calls, play music, and message. Voice commands and voice chatbots are available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian.
The glasses can also be outfitted with prescription (and transitional) lenses and are compatible with iPhone and Android. The glasses are priced from $299 to $379, depending on style and lens type.
What do you see?
Group Activities and Discussion Questions:
- Poll students: Would they buy smart glasses?
- Discuss the rise – and fall – of smart glasses (e.g., Google Glass, Spectacles by Snap).
- Show video of Meta’s glasses: https://youtu.be/scDLJAYrHaE?si=Ll1M9CQkirycQ1MF
- Show website for the glasses: https://www.meta.com/smart-glasses/
- Divide students into teams. Have each team research and compare Meta with competition from Google, Snap, and other companies.
- What are the features and advantages of each? Negative aspects?
- In teams, have the students develop a profile of the target customer for the glasses.
- Next, have the teams determine the elements should be in the marketing campaign.
Source: Bobrowsky, M. (24 September 2024). How Meta’s smart Ray-Ban glasses spawned a Silicon Valley Hit. Wall Street Journal; Calma, J (17 September 2024). Meta extends its Ray-Ban smart glasses deal beyond 2030. The Verge.com.
