New Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses Set to Transform Technology Usage

In another example of technology evolution, from once bulky computers to the handheld phones of today, a new device recently came into the spotlight: Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which can be a fashionable part of any wardrobe.

The smart glasses possess a variety of features, including real-time subtitles, translations, an AI assistant, a camera and more. According to Meta, these features are remotely controlled through Meta’s Neural Band, a wristband that “interprets the natural signals created by your muscle activity.”

Since simple hand movements control the glasses, the technology is more convenient for individuals with disabilities. Likewise, the subtitles can aid those who are hard of hearing or struggle with auditory processing.

Nevertheless, the glasses have largely failed to appeal to the general public with their high price of $799 and overlapping features with a with a smartphone

Additionally, "LifeHacker" claimed that the glasses have a lackluster battery life and are noticeably heavier than regular glasses. Customer reviews on Reddit often cited the advertised functions as unrefined or unfinished.

Robotics Club Co-president Zoe Tang ’26 argued that “the reason why Meta has released these glasses is because they're trying to beat Apple in the race forgetting in-lens display glasses,” hence a potentially rushed product quality. She added that incorporation of the glasses into daily use may also prove difficult as “activities like driving or just crossing the road can get more dangerous if you're distracted or focused on something on your glasses.”

Furthermore, the built-in camera raises ethical and privacy concerns. With only a small LED light to indicate activity, recording can easily occur in secret and without consent.

Computer Science teacher Joseph Rivera called attention to potential privacy violations from the glasses. He stated that in many fields, “[the glasses] could be an amazing tool, but the true challenge in all cases is consent. And I fear that corporations, including Meta, [...] will sweep everything else aside to earn.”

STEAM Spotlight Executive Alexandra Cox ‘26 shared a different perspective. She believed “the novelty of adding AI into a wearable device as commonplace and widely used as glasses opens up a new market for ‘smart’ wearable devices.”

Despite the controversy surrounding Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, they will likely have a major impact on the future of technology.