Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, Wayfarer

I put out a video on YouTube reviewing these, here is my written analysis.I recently had the opportunity to test out the Meta Smart Glasses for three months, and I have to say, it's a really cool product. While the hardware has significantly improved from previous versions and other products in the past, there are still some questions that need to be answered. One of the biggest concerns is privacy, as these glasses have the capability to record both visuals and auditory inputs. At a price point of $299, it's comparable to many modern-day sunglasses, but is it worth giving up your privacy for?Key Takeaways• The Meta Smart Glasses have improved hardware but raise concerns about privacy.• The glasses have an IPX4 water-resistant rating but have a 60-second record limit.• Only having vertical video is a bit of a downside for long form creators.• POV footage for sports and driving is a unique and enjoyable feature of the Meta Smart Glasses.• The Speakers are not amazing but they are good enough and reach an audio level where they truly feel next generation finally for smart glasses.Comparative AnalysisAfter using the Meta Smart Glasses for over a month, I have compared them to other products I have tried in the past, such as the Snapchat specs and the previous RayBan stories. The hardware of the Meta Smart Glasses has significantly improved from previous versions and other products. However, this product raises more questions than it answers in some ways.One of the biggest topics of contention is privacy. The light that pulses on the top right is a little more visible now and it's brighter and bigger in general. However, in my opinion, it should have been red, which means recording. The current light is still small enough where no one really notices it. While in theory, someone should maybe notice it, it's such a new technology and concept that they're not going to just simply notice it.Another downside is the 60-second record limit. There are many times when I was recording interactions or photographing cars, and I would honestly just forget that I was recording sometimes. The video ending noise can be distracting in a conversation, where you're in a train of thought, and then you hear that noise. There should theoretically be no record limit in here, unless it's related to overheating.Price and ValueLooking at the price of these, they are actually not bad at all. They are comparable to a lot of modern-day sunglasses. Given that you get this much amount of tech in here, the price is quite reasonable and I suspect they will have regular sales this holiday season to push a lot of productDesign and FeaturesIPX4 Rating and Water ResistanceThe Meta smart glasses have an IPX4 rating, making them water-resistant. This means that the glasses can withstand sweat and rain, making them suitable for outdoor activities. However, it is important to note that the capacitive touch on the side of the glasses can be affected if water droplets fall on it, which can interfere with music or other functions.Capacitive Touch Sensitivity:The Meta smart glasses have capacitive touch sensitivity, which allows users to interact with the glasses through touch. The controls are very intuitive and work quite well with good responsiveness.Transition Lenses Option:The Meta smart glasses come with an option for transition lenses, which can be very practical during the winter months when there is less daylight. The transition lenses can turn dark when exposed to sunlight and then turn back to clear when sunlight is no longer present. This feature is especially useful for those who want to use the glasses for both indoor and outdoor activities.In terms of pricing, the Meta smart glasses are reasonably priced at $299, which is comparable to other modern-day sunglasses. The transition lens version is slightly more expensive. However, given the amount of technology packed into these glasses, the price is quite reasonable.Additionally, all the types of variations have 32 GB of storage.Public AwarenessAnother concern I have is the public's awareness of the recording capabilities of the Meta Smart Glasses. While Meta has made efforts to increase awareness of the recording feature, it's still not enough. Many people are still unaware that the glasses can record, and this raises concerns about privacy. It's important that people are aware that they may be recorded when interacting with someone wearing these glasses.Overall, I believe that Meta needs to do more to increase public awareness of the recording capabilities of the glasses and make the recording indicator more visible. While the glasses are a great product, it's important that people's privacy is respected, and that they are aware of when they are being recorded.Functionality Limitations60-Second Record LimitOne of the major limitations of the Meta Smart Glasses is the 60-second record limit. While the glasses offer 32 GB of storage, the record limit can be a hindrance for those who want to record longer videos. During my testing, I found myself forgetting that I was recording, and the glasses would stop recording after 60 seconds. This can be frustrating, especially when recording interactions or events that last longer than a minute.