Jason Hiner/ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
The Meta Ray-Bans are arguably the most successful AI hardware product in the past three years, with enough momentum to encourage Mark Zuckerberg to spend 80% of this week's Meta Connect keynote discussing the past, present, and future of smart glasses.
Also: I used the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, and they offer 2 breakthroughs to take us beyond smartphones
While much of the fanfare was reserved for the new Ray-Ban Display glasses, which feature a waveguide system that projects visual cues, navigation pathways, a camera viewfinder, and more, the second generation of the original Meta Ray-Bans also launched. In many ways, they succeed their predecessor with meaningful upgrades. But you'll want to note the drawbacks too.
I've tested both the first and second generation of Ray-Ban smart glasses, and here are the key reasons for and against buying the latest model.
Specifications
Meta Ray-Ban (1st Gen) Meta Ray-Ban (2nd Gen) Price $299 $379 Frame styles Wayfarer, Headliner, Skyler Wayfarer, Headliner, Skyler Lenses Tinted, Transitions, Clear Tinted, Transitions, Clear Camera 12MP, up to 1080p+ resolution 12MP, up to 3K resolution Battery Up to 4 hours per charge, 32 hours with case Up to 8 hours per charge, 48 hours with case Microphones 5-mic acoustic array 5-mic acoustic array
You should buy the Meta Ray-Ban (2nd Gen) if...
... continue reading