What if your eyeglasses could take photos, record videos, answer questions, read a menu, translate a sign, play music and make telephone calls—all without requiring you to take out your phone? That is the promise of the Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2 AI Glasses, and we put them to the test in the newest episode of Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos.
More Than a Pair of Sunglasses
At first glance, Meta Ray-Ban glasses look much like traditional Ray-Bans. Hidden inside the frames, however, are a camera, microphones, speakers and Meta AI.
Using the words “Hey Meta,” you can ask the glasses questions about the world around you. You might ask Meta to:
- Read or summarize a restaurant menu
- Identify an object or landmark
- Translate a sign
- Take a hands-free photo or video
- Play music
- Get advice on your wardrobe choices
- Create dinner ideas from the leftovers in your frig
- Make a call or send a message
- Tell you what you are looking at
For older adults, some of these features could offer genuine convenience. You can capture a moment without fumbling for your phone, hear audio without wearing earbuds and ask for information while keeping your hands free.
There Is a Learning Curve
The glasses may be intelligent, but that doesn’t mean they are immediately intuitive.
The button on top of the right arm controls the camera: press it once to take a photo or press and hold it to begin recording a video. Meta AI, however, can be activated simply by saying, “Hey Meta.” You do not need to press the camera button when asking a question.
That distinction matters. I opened the Meta AI app one day and discovered 12 videos I didn’t know I had recorded! Apparently, artificial intelligence still can’t prevent human error.
Are Meta Ray-Ban Glasses Useful for Seniors?
That depends on what you want from them.
For someone who enjoys taking spontaneous photos, listening to music, making hands-free calls or experimenting with artificial intelligence, the glasses offer an impressive combination of familiar style and emerging technology.
They could also be helpful for travelers, people who want assistance reading or translating text, and anyone who prefers getting information without constantly looking at a smartphone.
But are they easy to operate? How well does Meta AI understand what you want? And do the benefits justify the price?
Alyson and I explore those questions—and several others—in our complete review.
Watch Our Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2 Review
Watch the newest episode of Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos and see what happened when we took these AI-powered glasses for a spin.
Would you wear AI-powered glasses, or does the idea make you a little uncomfortable? Tell us what you think in the comments.
Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos reviews products and technology designed to make life easier, safer and more enjoyable for older adults and the people who care about them.