I wore Ray-Ban Meta Optics for a week and here's how they've improved my life (as well as my sight)
Ray-Ban Meta Optics are the smartest option for glasses wearers, as I found out
Having written about technology for decades, you'd think I could be jaded or cynical about the industry and new devices by now, but the truth is the opposite. I have seen many trends come, expand and even die down again, but I remain as enthusiastic as ever.
My latest obsession is with smart glasses. Having imagined what they could be like since childhood, the reality is we're suddenly being inundated with them. Some have displays, others just microphones and speakers, and all seem to be coming across my desk.
So when I was offered the chance to trial the new Ray-Ban Meta "AI glasses" specifically designed for glasses wearers, I could hardly refuse.
Now you could say I'm a fair weather glasses wearer. I do need reading and computer glasses, but am largely fine on distances (just a light prescription), but that in itself makes me the ideal subject for the Ray-Ban Meta Optics range.
They are able to be fitted with varifocal lenses which suit my own eyesight – a combination of distance, computer and reading glasses in one. I can therefore wear them day-in, day-out and suddenly the tech makes more sense.
That has always been my issue with the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses I've tried before. As good-looking and capable as I found them, they've been sunglasses only (and not prescription) and thus only useful in specific circumstances. When it was sunny and outside, for starters.
However, that wasn't always appropriate for the features I wanted to use. It's part of the overall appeal, but only a part.
True all-rounders
The Ray-Ban Meta Blayzer Optics I've been testing are different though – they are true all-rounders. As well as being essential for indoor use, they also have photochromic Transitions lenses that darken when in sunlight. Win-win.
That enabled me to get a more rounded experience, using different AI features and functions for different daily tasks. For example, as I'm currently on a diet, I've been asking my Meta AI assistant about the calorie content in foods when plodding around the supermarket. Even in McDonald's (yeah, I know).
The irony is this would have been extra useful when I wasn't actually wearing glasses that help me read the same information on packets, but hey, it works. And I wouldn't get as much attention if I didn't seem to be randomly barking out questions to an invisible friend.
Also handy has been the ability to play music from my iPhone when at my desk, without needing to wear earbuds or headphones. I can also stay aware of my surroundings. This has proved especially useful as I also own a needy dog who is often pining for my attention – I don't accidentally ignore him when he's trying to tell me that little Timmy has fallen down the well, or something.
The glasses have even helped me aid my daughter with her Spanish homework. While I have a GCSE in French, my skills in linguistics are as close to zero as it can get, and so the live translation feature has come in great use – to understand what it is she's trying to say and give her feedback.
Camera control
What I've perhaps surprisingly used least is the camera functionality. There's a raging debate about smart glasses with cameras, and whether there are privacy concerns. The truth is, I only take photos or videos of people who understand that's exactly what I'm doing. The privacy light comes on, and everyone is aware.
I can see how some might misuse the facility though and more obvious safeguards should be in place, for sure. But, I wouldn't want to dispense of the camera entirely as some of my other favourite features depend on it.
Meta AI being able to see what you're looking at on command has proved useful in my test period. Being something of a tour guide whenever I've visited London has proved fun and interesting. Admittedly, I grew up in London, lived there most of my life, and I could personally give Google navigation tips, but you can always learn something new about your surroundings. We see the buildings, but how much do we really know about them?
Of course, many smart glasses can do all of the above – some with an augmented display to help guide you too. And the general Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses have exactly the same feature set, so what makes these different?
Comfort is everything
Well, comfort for one. While you can have prescription lenses added to standard Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses, the Optics range comes with a different hinge design. It can be opened 10-degrees wider for a more comfortable fit.
There are interchangeable nose pads and adjustable temple tips, too. These help make for a better fit for daily use.
The nose pads are included in the box, along with a charging case and lenses cloth, although the temple tips will need to be adjusted in a Meta store or by your local optical retailer.
Another distinct difference is the design. The chunkier Blayzer look is exclusive to the Optics range, as is the more rounded Scriber aesthetic. So if you prefer the style of either, you're best looking in this direction.
Of course, there are also a few caveats. Price is one – the Ray-Ban Meta Blayzer Optics start at £429 for the frame and non-prescription lenses. That's around £50 more than the start price of traditional Gen 2 equivalents. You'll also have to pay extra for the lens options.
But when you consider that conventional designer glasses can cost you around the same without the smarts, you might not mind the expense. These are everyday glasses as well, after all.
All-day power?
Perhaps more noteworthy is that battery life is a maximum of eight hours with general use. You get up to 48 hours when combined with the charging case, but you won't want to keep taking them off during the day just to charge them up again.
Thankfully, I found them to last all day with lighter use – only accessing the AI functions or listening to music on and off. And by that, I meant I could wear and use them when I got up and put them back on charge at night before bed.
It was more testing when using audio navigation when out and about – the battery would run out quicker. But most days it was fine.
And of course, the glasses bit works regardless of battery, so even if you can no longer access the Meta assistant, you can still see through them.
In short, I couldn't see many downsides (pardon the pun). And the privacy debate aside, I found the Optics more comfortable, more convenient, and useful than many other smart glasses I've tested to date.
Now we just need the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses to come to the UK.
