Meta Unveils VR Glasses

What happened

Meta unveiled a new wearable lineup centered on AI glasses and a lighter VR device at Meta Connect. The lineup includes camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses, updated camera-equipped Ray-Ban smart glasses, and Meta VR Glasses. The audio model keeps music, calls, and AI features while dropping the camera, a move Meta tied to privacy backlash. Meta said wearable AI can put power in people’s hands instead of concentrating advanced systems in a few labs. The audio-only glasses start at $349, weigh about 43 grams, and ship later in October. Meta also previewed $1,299 VR glasses for spring 2027. The company says more privacy protections are coming through Private Processing.

From the left

Left-leaning outlets framed the launch as an aggressive AI-wearables push landing amid sharper concern over surveillance and harassment. The Los Angeles Times emphasized Meta “doubling down” while privacy worries grow around smart glasses. The Verge focused on whether camera-free glasses really answer the “perv glasses” backlash. The Los Angeles Times also highlighted Muse as Meta’s route to everyday AI agents. The Verge lingered on lighter VR as a less cumbersome format.