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Meta unveiled its first camera-free AI glasses, called Ray-Ban Meta Audio, at its Connect 2026 conference. Made with partner EssilorLuxottica, the audio-only glasses support music, calls, translation and Meta's Muse assistant, weigh 43 grams, and offer up to 12 hours of battery life (48 with the charging case) starting at $349 across 23 color and lens combinations.
Meta has launched its third-generation Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, now starting at $449, adding new Aviator and Zena frame styles alongside the existing Wayfarer shape. The Gen 3 models feature a programmable action button, adjustable temple tips, up to 9 hours of battery life, and six microphones for improved voice pickup in noisy settings.
Meta has unveiled Ray-Ban Meta Audio, a new smart glasses model that removes the built-in camera found in prior versions and focuses solely on audio features and AI. The glasses support calls, voice-based messaging, music and podcast playback, and Meta AI functions like live translation, and offer up to 12 hours of battery life with 48 more from the charging case.
Meta has introduced a new version of its Ray-Ban smart glasses that drops the camera entirely, offering only audio features. The device keeps the smart glasses form factor while removing the recording capability found in earlier models.
At its Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, Meta announced it will extend its Private Processing system to Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, allowing the AI assistant to handle requests without Meta itself accessing the underlying data. The feature previously launched for WhatsApp and the Meta AI app, powering WhatsApp's Incognito Chat. Meta has not specified which glasses features will use the system, though engineering director Pritam Shah said the platform is already built and functioning rather than just planned.
At its annual Connect event, Meta introduced VR Glasses, a lightweight, strapless headset tethered to a compute puck, alongside new screen-free smart glasses with added AI features and frame styles. The VR Glasses weigh about 100g, run on a Snapdragon Reality Elite chip with 12GB RAM and 128GB storage, and feature a 5K micro OLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate. Meta says the device will launch in spring 2027 for $1,299 and will support the full Meta Quest app catalog, Xbox Cloud Gaming, IMAX Enhanced content, and a 'hologram' video-call feature.
Meta unveiled Ray-Ban Meta Audio Glasses at its Connect 2026 event, a version of its smart glasses line that includes Meta AI and open-ear audio but omits a camera entirely. The glasses come in two styles, Clubmaster and Burbank, and weigh from 43 grams, lighter than Meta's camera-equipped models.
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, which would outlaw development of AI systems capable of humanity's 'destruction or disempowerment.' The bill would also pause development of advanced 'frontier' AI models until a new government agency, the Department of Artificial Intelligence, is created to license and oversee such work. Violators, including company leaders and unaffiliated individuals, could face up to 20 years in prison.
Meta announced its Connect 2026 conference will run September 23-24, where it plans to showcase advances in AI, smart glasses and VR. The event is free to watch via livestream after registering on Meta's website or through the Meta for Developers Facebook page, with sessions starting September 23 at 7PM ET and continuing September 24 at 1PM ET.
Vonder, a new eyewear brand from the founders of XR company Viture, has unveiled its first collection of smart glasses built around privacy rather than cameras or screens. The glasses come in six frame styles, three colors, and can be made with prescription lenses, weighing under 30 grams. Pre-orders open September 28, 2026, starting at $299, with shipping planned for November.
The White House began streaming a continuous YouTube channel replaying President Trump's speeches, bill signings, and other public appearances, dubbed 'Trump TV' by officials. Digital strategy chief Kaelan Dorr described it as airing Trump's 'greatest hits, unfiltered,' claiming media outlets misreported his administration's achievements. The launch came days after CNN, MS Now, and Politico were barred from White House press access.
EssilorLuxottica has released the Nuance Audio Plus, an upgraded version of its FDA-cleared over-the-counter hearing aid glasses that look like ordinary eyewear. The new model adds sharper voice clarity in noisy settings, extra physical controls on the frame, and up to 10 hours of battery life, and comes in three frame styles and five colors starting at $829. The original Nuance Audio glasses, priced from $699, will continue to be sold alongside the new Plus version.