Companies like Meta, Google and Amazon – or any tech oligarchy placing us beneath its collective digital boot – often force a vision of the future some would describe as "dystopian".
It's an ever-present threat. These days you can't go near a laptop, phone or browser tab without encountering "AI". Even cars track where we go, the energy we consume and how quickly we brake.
It's a Brave New World. In 2021, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), I was given a demo of a "wellness toilet", which scanned your "body and key inputs" and provided "wellness recommendations" by analysing poop.
Fantastic.
Into this strange universe comes the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. Described as "next-generation AI glasses", they feel like a cutting-edge expression of raw technological dread. They use generative AI, they access your data and make phone calls. Perhaps most importantly, they record and take video – creating facial recognition and privacy issues that (in the wrong hands) could be potentially catastrophic.
But worst of all, they've transformed me into a complete hypocrite. Because despite representing everything I hate about modern life and our Silicon Valley masters, I sort of love these stupid, sexy Ray-Bans.
A neat trick
As you might expect, you can't connect to Ray-Ban Meta Glasses without linking them to a Meta account. For most of us that means signing into Facebook or Instagram.
You do this during a slick, streamlined set-up process which invites you to override privacy settings while teaching you how to get the most out of these high-tech glasses. It's a neat trick. I found myself throwing caution to the wind as I signed into Facebook, allowing location tracking, access to my contacts and camera roll. Take it all Meta!
And I did all these things because, unfortunately, these glasses are pretty cool.
I found myself throwing caution to the wind as I signed into Facebook, allowing location tracking, access to my contacts and camera roll. Take it all Meta!
Using the camera is easy. A conveniently placed button on the frame allows you to take photos, record video and even livestream. Security and privacy concerns aside, it's elegant, effective and surprisingly high quality.
The unique angle from which the photos are shot takes a while to adjust to, but I found myself particularly impressed by the footage, which is stabilised to just the right degree. Watching back, it felt almost video game-esque; like I was running through an extremely boring – and gun-free – first-person shooter.
Thankfully, you can't accidentally leave the camera running – it automatically stops after three minutes, but you can livestream for up to 30 minutes.
Thankfully, you can't accidentally leave the camera running – it automatically stops after three minutes, but you can livestream for up to 30 minutes
But the in-built camera is just the beginning. I connected the glasses to my Spotify account, which allowed me to seamlessly listen to music by tapping the right side of the frames. I could adjust the volume by sliding up and down the temples/arms of the glasses and, while the audio doesn't match the quality of over-ear headphones, they worked very effectively.
While I'd be nervous about cranking music at full volume in a public setting (others could potentially hear and be annoyed by it), I found it perfect for listening to podcasts at home or even on a brisk outdoor walk. Just be aware, much like using a pair of bluetooth headphones, you'll need to carry your phone with you to listen.
Audio doesn't match the quality of over-ear headphones, but works effectively. Photo credit: Meta.
Game changing AI?
Unfortunately, it's Ray-Ban Meta's AI functionality that truly brings the hypocrite out in me. I've come to loathe AI and its forced insertion into every device I own, but AI brings these glasses to life in ways I've yet to fully understand or explore.
During set-up, you're invited to say "Hey Meta" and ask "what am I looking at". It's a neat trick – it's always cool to hear the AI voice tell you, very robotically and precisely, what you're seeing in front of you – but it's just the beginning.
The more I thought about this functionality, the more interesting things got. I picked up items from my cupboard and asked Meta for the ingredients (it answered correctly). I showed it the can of Coke Zero I was drinking and asked it for a healthy alternative (it suggested water and herbal teas). Cheers.
But one moment blew my mind: I picked up a word-dense worksheet I'd been given during a training session, looked directly at it, and said, "can you summarise this?" It did a fantastic job. Then I asked it to read it back in Spanish, and it did so very effectively. (I think. Look, my Spanish is a little rusty.)
It got me thinking about the broader possibilities. These Ray-Ban Meta glasses would be incredibly handy whilst travelling overseas. I could absolutely imagine myself using them to translate a menu in Japan. Could you create an on-the-fly audio tour for yourself while visiting historical sites? And what if you were vision impaired? Could a pair of glasses like this help you navigate your world?
Capturing candid video of your pet is just the start. Photo credit: Meta.
These are all big, important questions, but equally as important are the privacy concerns. During set-up, the Meta View app warns users to ask for permission before filming but, realistically, there's nothing to stop you from ignoring that warning. A light in the top right of the front frame is designed to alert folks to the fact you're recording, but our testers were able to record a few videos with that light obscured.
It's not hard to imagine the worst. Just a few months ago, CHOICE awarded Meta a Shonky for its sub-optimal handling of scams on its platforms. Going back decades now, Meta has a long and checkered history when it comes to… almost everything, from hidden user controls to US election interference. Let's just say the "privacy concerns with Facebook" Wikipedia page is extensive and detailed.
Anecdotally, I took photos of my children which were automatically uploaded to Google Photos, where a facial recognition algorithm immediately categorised them as photos of my children. At one point, I just sat back and thought, "where is all this heading, ultimately? What are we doing here?" Then I felt a little bit sad.
But then I swallowed it down and started messing around with the glasses again. Because I'm a gigantic idiot who loves shiny toys.
The 'glasshole' problem
The other issue is what many have termed the "glasshole" problem. One of the main reasons previous versions of this tech – like Google Glass for example – failed to find an audience is because… walking around wearing a secret recording device doesn't exactly ingratiate you to strangers.
One of our testers was heading to Ikea and had grand plans to use the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses to suss out furniture size. But he was ultimately too embarrassed to put the glasses on and risk being thought of as a creep, talking to himself in the bathroom section – very understandable, and a real risk. He was far more at ease wearing them in the comfort of his own home, while cleaning and tinkering in the garden. Taking glasses like these to a public setting is an entirely different, scary proposition.
Regardless of how effective the Ray-Ban Meta glasses are, we absolutely should be worried about tech giants and what they're doing to the planet we occupy
But, like me, you might be a more shameless type of "glasshole" – more comfortable looking like a creepy weirdo in shopping centres. In that case, the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses might be worth the punt. These things are gimmicky and obnoxious but they're also a lot of fun to tinker with. The cheapest model comes in at $449 and – considering how much regular glasses cost – that feels like incredible value for money.
Just be aware: these glasses are strange. They emit an overwhelming vibe of weirdness. They make you feel like a hypocrite and, regardless of how effective the Ray-Ban Meta glasses are, we absolutely should be worried about tech giants and what they're doing to the planet we occupy.
Also, the battery life is bad. Like, really bad. Oh, and don't go swimming with them. They can handle being caught in the rain, but that's about it.
Don't say we didn't warn you.
We're on your side
For more than 60 years, we've been making a difference for Australian consumers. In that time, we've never taken ads or sponsorship.
Instead we're funded by members who value expert reviews and independent product testing.
With no self-interest behind our advice, you don't just buy smarter, you get the answers that you need.
You know without hesitation what's safe for you and your family.
And you'll never be alone when something goes wrong or a business treats you unfairly.
Learn more about CHOICE membership today
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
