Meta unveils camera-free AI glasses amid privacy backlash
At its Connect 2026 conference, Meta announced camera-free audio glasses, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio, starting at $349. The move follows criticism that existing camera-equipped AI glasses were used to record people without consent.
Meta officially introduced its first camera-free AI glasses, the Ray-Ban Meta Audio, at its Connect 2026 conference on Wednesday. Developed with partner EssilorLuxottica, the glasses will start at $349.
Unlike previous Meta AI glasses, these are audio-only devices, with no built-in camera. They allow users to listen to music and podcasts, take calls, translate speech, and interact with Meta's AI assistant, Muse.
A response to criticism
The launch comes after backlash over Meta's earlier camera-equipped AI glasses, which some people, often men, used to secretly record others without consent, earning the devices a derogatory nickname. Although Meta previously rolled out an update disabling the camera if the recording-indicator LED was tampered with, concerns about covert filming persisted.
During the keynote, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that once people get used to high-quality audio, they want it available at all times, adding that the company realized while working on the concept that it could build an entirely new category of glasses centered on audio.
Specifications
Because they don't need to house a camera, the glasses are slimmer than Meta's other models and weigh just 43 grams. They feature adjustable temple tips, swappable nose pads, and reinforced hinges. Battery life reaches up to 12 hours on a single charge, extending to up to 48 hours with the included charging case. The glasses come in 23 color and lens combinations across two new styles — the retro-inspired 'Clubmaster' and the classic rectangular 'Burbank.' Prescription lenses are also available. Preorders begin October 13.
Alongside the audio glasses, Meta unveiled its next-generation camera-equipped AI glasses, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3), which add new 'Aviator' and 'Zena' styles, a 12-megapixel camera supporting 3K video, and up to nine hours of battery life. Meta also announced a new brand partnership with singer Lisa and plans to expand its glasses lineup to more countries.
