On 27 September, Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, made an announcement on their blog introducing two cutting-edge smart eyewear devices that have reignited the fierce competition between tech giants Apple and Amazon.

Is it a major contender capable of reshaping the landscape of intelligent eyewear?

What Can The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Do?

One of the spotlight offerings from Meta is the revamped Ray-Ban Meta glasses, set to go head-to-head with Amazon's Echo Frames and Snapchat's Spectacles.

These spectacles come equipped with an embedded AI assistant, aptly named "Meta AI."

This feature responds seamlessly to voice commands, going beyond the ordinary to provide personalised restaurant recommendations and an array of other intelligent services.

What is even more intriguing is the promise of a forthcoming software update that will elevate these smart glasses to new heights.

This update will imbue the glasses with the ability to recognise and decipher visual and auditory inputs.

Imagine effortlessly identifying landmarks or translating inscrutable signs with a simple inquiry directed at Meta.

Mark is not shy about his belief that smart glasses are poised to become an "important platform for the future."

At the recent Meta Connect conference, he underscored their significance, referring to them as a natural canvas for holographic experiences.

You can check it out in the video below at the 0:57 mark.

These glasses empower AI assistants to perceive and understand the world through the wearer's eyes and ears, heralding a new era of immersive interactions.

Mark highlighted that these glasses will start shipping on 17 October.

Is The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Something New?

Ray-Ban had previously teased the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, initially referred to as Ray-Ban Stories.

However, their reception was lukewarm, with criticisms about privacy concerns, and limited usage despite their $300 price tag.

In contrast, the Ray-Ban Meta addresses these issues with a versatile offering that includes both sunglasses and clear-lens glasses, available in two distinctive frames – Wayfarer and Headliner.

Central to this overhaul is the incorporation of the Meta AI assistant, a versatile companion that learns from its wearer's surroundings.

This advanced AI also enables users to make Bluetooth calls, effortlessly capture images and videos hands-free, and, of course, enjoy music.

However, the sophistication comes at a price, with the Ray-Ban Meta glasses starting at $299 and scaling up based on optional extras like polarised lenses, transition lenses, and prescription lenses.