At the Connect2026 conference on Wednesday, Meta officially launched its first AI glasses without cameras, Ray-Ban Meta Audio, and the third-generation Ray-Ban Meta. This release marks Meta's move toward a more细分 product line to address long-standing privacy concerns around smart glasses, and it directly challenges mainstream audio devices like Apple AirPods.

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To address the "creepy glasses" controversy caused by unintentional video recording in previous models, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio, designed by EssilorLuxottica and starting at $349, completely eliminates the visual module. The device focuses solely on audio interaction, allowing users to listen to multimedia, make calls, translate speech, and engage in deep conversations with Meta's built-in personal AI assistant, Muse.

Thanks to the removal of the camera module, the glasses' weight has been reduced to 43 grams, making them thinner and more compact, and they feature adjustable hinges, nose pads, and temple sleeves. The device offers up to 12 hours of battery life, extendable to 48 hours with the charging case. The product will be available for pre-order starting October 13, offering 23 lens and color combinations, including retro Clubmaster and classic rectangular Burbank styles, and supports optical prescription customization. CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized that the potential of high-quality audio experiences prompted Meta to create this new category of glasses.

The third-generation Ray-Ban Meta with a camera also continues to focus on visual capabilities, adding limited editions of Aviator and cat-eye shaped Zena styles based on the Wayfarer model. Its hardware has been upgraded to a 12-megapixel camera and a 6-microphone array, supporting 3K ultra-high-definition video recording, with a battery life of 9 hours. Additionally, Meta announced a new brand partnership with singer Lisa following Kylie Jenner, and plans to expand the glasses series to more countries and regions.

In terms of software and ecosystem, all products seamlessly integrate with the AI assistant Muse. Meta also announced upcoming advanced features, including Dolby Atmos sound capture, multi-frame selection for the best photo, portrait and landscape recording switching, hearing enhancement assistance, and multi-audio mode control. To address data security concerns, the upcoming "Private Processing" feature will block company access to user data at the core level. Overall, Meta is adopting a dual strategy of pure audio and full-featured visuals to repair privacy trust gaps while further strengthening its moat in the AI wearable hardware ecosystem.