Meta unveils camera-free AI glasses as privacy concerns mount

Meta has introduced a new pair of AI-powered glasses without cameras as the company seeks to expand its wearable technology while responding to growing concerns over privacy and covert recording.

The Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses were unveiled on Wednesday at Meta’s annual Connect conference in Menlo Park, California. The audio-only glasses will be available from October 13, with prices starting at $349.

Unlike Meta’s existing smart glasses, the new model has no camera. It is designed for listening to music and podcasts, making calls, translating speech and interacting with Meta’s AI assistant through built-in microphones and speakers.

The launch comes as camera-equipped smart glasses face increasing scrutiny over the possibility of people being recorded without their knowledge or consent. Privacy campaigners and critics have raised concerns about the discreet nature of the devices and their potential misuse.

Meta has defended the privacy measures on its camera-equipped glasses, including a recording indicator designed to alert people when the device is capturing images or video.

Vishal Shah, Meta’s vice president of AI products, said the company had made the recording indicator increasingly visible and acknowledged the need to continue reminding users about the feature.

The new camera-free glasses are part of a broader expansion of Meta’s wearable portfolio. The company also unveiled new camera-equipped Ray-Ban Meta models with improved battery life, new designs and other upgrades.

Meta said it expects to offer more than 100 glasses options across its Ray-Ban, Oakley and Meta brands by the end of the year.

Muse takes centre stage

Meta also used the event to promote Muse, its new personal AI agent designed to perform tasks for users rather than simply respond to questions.

The company said Muse can be connected to personal accounts and used for tasks such as booking appointments, signing up for services and making calls.

Meta is positioning the assistant as a central part of its strategy to bring AI beyond smartphones and into everyday wearable devices.

Chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said the company expects glasses to become an important way for people to interact with AI, pointing to the large number of people worldwide who already wear conventional glasses.

Meta also unveiled the Muse Charm, a small standalone device designed to give users access to their AI assistant without a smartphone. The company said the device is expected to ship before the end of the year but did not announce a price.

Lighter VR glasses coming

The company further announced Meta VR Glasses, a lightweight mixed-reality device that weighs about 100 grammes, according to Meta.

The glasses are designed to provide virtual reality experiences, including 3D entertainment, immersive sports and a virtual workspace. They rely on an external computing and battery unit connected by a cable to reduce the weight of the glasses themselves.

Meta said the VR Glasses will launch in spring 2027 at $1,299.

The latest announcements underline Meta’s broader push to make AI-powered wearables a major part of its hardware strategy, even as privacy concerns continue to shape public debate around devices capable of recording or processing information from their surroundings.