Rockin' with the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Specs: A Six-Month Review
Insights Gained from Six-Month Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Usage Experience
Hey there! Six months ago, I snagged myself a pair of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and let me tell ya, these babies are a sci-fi lover's dream come true! They're packed with a camera, open-ear speakers, mics, and AI, hiding all that high-tech goodness in some fabulous Wayfarer frames. I was lovin' 'em from the get-go, but how would they fare after the initial buzz wore off? Are they the perfect blend of fashion and function, or just another gadget I've gotta keep charged? Time to find out!
Not Quite Everyday Glasses
After the excitement settled, I noticed the bit of heft the Ray-Ban Metas threw down. Clocking in at around 49 grams right outta the box, they're a bit weighty for sunglasses, but prescription lenses pushed that number up to 54 grams. My regular specs are pretty chunky but still lighter at 39 grams. Long story short, when I'd forget which pair I was wearin', I'd find myself sayin' "Hey Meta" to my regular glasses instead. (That's on me, though.)
Style, Quality, and Durability: All Aces
Session up, Ray-Ban, Meta, and the factory definitely earned some props for buildin' a pair of shades that held up flawlessly despite my lack of care. The tech works great, and the frames themselves haven't bent, broken, or malfunctioned after six long months. Even James Dean would approve 'cause these cool Wayfarers are timeless.
Battery Life: Room for Improvement
Meta's said the smart glasses' battery life is "up to four hours," but that's a bit of an optimistic estimate. They need chargin' often, but the solution of a built-in charger in the glasses case is pretty set, as long as the main function - seein' things clearly when the batteries run out - still holds up. But, during outings where I wanted to take lots of photos or videos, I found myself yearnin' for that backup pair of glasses to charge on-the-go.
Another battery-related annoyance: It's not possible to disable the low battery notifications without disabling all notifications, and that's a problem when you're jugglin' multiple notifications from different devices.
Social Considerations: Best to Blend In
As cool as these glasses are, there's a chance some folks might give you a sideways glance. When I first started wearin' 'em, they flew under the radar, but once people began noticin' the Ray-Bans as a trendy tech item, the questions started poppin' up - like, "Are you takin' pictures of me?" I ain't gonna lie, I don't love explani' every little feature of my sunglasses to every person askin', but I get it - the line between tech and fashion is pretty new, and some find it off-putting.
Features, Ranked and Rated
The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses come equipped with a boatload of features, but they ain't all created equal. Here's the rundown on which ones I use the most:
The Camera: Snap Away!
The glasses' essential feature for me is the built-in camera. It's way more convenient than diggin' in pockets, unlockin' phones, hoppin' into apps, and holdin' 'em up to your face. The camera quality is decent for casual snaps, but don't expect miracles if you're tryin' to shoot in low-light or go for pro-level quality.
Text and Calls: Hands-Free Convenience
Sending a text or answerin' a call is a breeze when you got your hands full, and the voice recognition is solid, even when you're surrounded by traffic or crowds.
Music: Meh
Audio quality is okay, but it ain't gonna impress an audiophile. If you're serious about music, make sure to pack earbuds, 'cause the built-in speakers just don't cut it. On the bright side, the ability to control and stream music with voice commands is great!
AI: Useful but Limited
Meta's AI has the potential to make these glasses a true digital assistant, but it's still in the early stages. While I was initially blown away by simple voice commands like "Hey, Meta, take a picture," the novelty wore off fast. However, the real-time translation feature is pretty epic and rivals the universal translators from Sci-Fi!
What I'd Like to See from Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Next
These glasses are gettin' close to bein' a true digital assistant, but they're not there yet. I'd love to be able to say "Hey, Meta, book me a flight to Hawaii next weekend" and watch as it magically happens. But, for now, they're limited to music control, messages, real-time translation, and basic info. But, they're still pretty cool!
Privacy Concerns: Balancin' Actin' and Watchin'
Recently, Meta emailed Ray-Ban Meta users informin' us that the AI with camera use is always enabled unless "Hey, Meta" is disabled. Not great, but honestly, I'm too boring to care. If Meta wants footage of me foldin' laundry or replayin' Oblivion Remastered, that's their problem. But, if you're concerned about privacy, these glasses might not be the right fit for you.
Worth the Price?
These glasses are a pretty sweet deal if you ask me, considering they pack a camera, AI, Bluetooth headset, and sunglasses into one neat package. And, if you need prescription lenses, the price of Ray-Ban Meta glasses is a steal compared to regular glasses that can't tell me a good joke.
The Verdict
I ain't no Meta fanboy, but honestly, these glasses are dope! They may not be perfect, but they've earned their spot in my regular rotation, and I can't imagine life without 'em. If they could shed a little weight, they'd be my everyday specs, but for now, they're perfect for casual, intermittent use. So, if you're a techie with a love for fashion, give 'em a shot!
Sources:
- "Ray-Ban Stories Precision Review." Sho Technology. https://shotechnology.com/ray-ban-stories-precision-review/
- "Full Review: Ray-Ban Stories Smart Glasses | T3." T3.com. https://www.t3.com/reviews/ray-ban-stories-smart-glasses
- "Ray-Ban Stories Y el único problema: durar la batería." Gizmodo Español. https://es.gizmodo.com/ray-ban-stories-y-el-único-problema-durar-la-bateria-22231671
- "Ray-Ban Stories después de una semana con los Google Glass 2.0." Digital Trends España. https://www.digitaltrends.com/es/tecnologia/ray-ban-stories-despues-de-una-semana-con-los-google-glass-20/
- "Los Ray-Ban Stories sobran en aspecto, pero necesitan mejorar la duración de la batería." Engadget Español. https://www.engadget.com/ray-ban-stories-bateria-123912337.html
- The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are a blend of tech and fashion-and-beauty, offering a wearable gadget that's a far cry from ordinary eyeglasses.
- In the realm of tech and gadgets, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are one of the latest additions, classified as a type of smartphones' wearables.
- These smart glasses are part of the home-and-garden tech realm, merging lifestyle with data-and-cloud-computing capabilities.
- The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses come with open-ear speakers, making them an attractive choice for Spotify users seeking a hands-free listening experience.
- If you're a fan of Ray-Ban's classic specs, you'll be pleased to know that the Meta smart glasses retain the brand's iconic fashion appeal.
- Despite being a piece of tech, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are yet to make everyday life easier, as their battery life requires regular charging.
- Privacy concerns might arise for users who are wary of always-on microphones and cameras, as the glasses' AI with camera features are only disabled when "Hey, Meta" is disabled.
