Meta Ray-Ban Glasses: A 2024 Review of Hands-Free Photography

SUMMARY

In 30 seconds

In this 2024 review, Matthew Berman describes setup, audio, hands-free photography and the assistant’s limitations. The video description corrects an early mistake: there is one camera and a recording indicator.

1SetupThe reviewer found setup straightforward.
2When I wear themSunglass use limited when this particular pair was worn.
3AudioOpen speakers worked for calls but were less clear in noise.
4AI assistantThe 2024 assistant answered questions but did not perform all desired tasks.
5PhotographyHands-free first-person photography was the reviewer’s favorite feature.
6ProblemsAccidental photos, incorrect answers and occasional failures were drawbacks.

Takeaways

The reviewer found setup straightforward.
Sunglass use limited when this particular pair was worn.
Open speakers worked for calls but were less clear in noise.
The 2024 assistant answered questions but did not perform all desired tasks.
Hands-free first-person photography was the reviewer’s favorite feature.
Accidental photos, incorrect answers and occasional failures were drawbacks.

TopicsProduct & UX Multimodal AI

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Setup and hardware

Form factor, controls and speakers.

After more than a week with Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses in May 2024, I like them most for hands-free photography rather than the AI assistant. The video description corrects my initial statement: the glasses have one camera; the other visible element is a recording indicator.

Setup was straightforward: I connected the glasses through the phone app. Because I did not use Facebook, Messenger or WhatsApp regularly, some communication features were not useful to me.

My pair functions as sunglasses, which means I mostly wear it outdoors or while driving. Other lens options exist, but the form factor determines when the device is available to me.

They feel like ordinary sunglasses to me. A button controls photos and video, and a touch-sensitive arm controls functions such as audio playback.

Directional speakers let me hear calls, music and responses without earbuds, though noisy surroundings make the sound harder to hear. The case stores charge for the glasses.

AI and photography

The reviewer’s preferred use and limitations.

The assistant can answer spoken questions and respond to visual queries. I found I had relatively few questions during an ordinary day, and I wanted it to complete more tasks on my behalf; these observations describe the product as I tested it in 2024.

Photography became my favorite feature: I could capture a first-person view without reaching for my phone, using either a button or a voice command. I found myself taking many more pictures.

Battery and problems

Anecdotal usage and reliability issues.

In my usage, the battery lasted several hours and the charging case provided additional charges. This is an anecdotal observation, not a controlled battery test.

I sometimes pressed the camera button by accident while putting the glasses on or taking them off. The assistant also gave incorrect answers and occasionally failed to respond; once I had to reset the glasses.

My overall view in this 2024 review was positive, particularly for people who already wear glasses and value a hands-free camera. Prices and features mentioned in the video are historical and may have changed.