Article by Sam Winebaum
Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer Matte Black Smart Glasses ($329, $263.20 through Dec. 2, 2024)
Introduction
The Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses are more than mere shades!
Embedded in the stylish iconic frames are an Ai driven system from Meta (IG, Facebook, etc..) with a 12MP camera system, 5 microphones, and out of the ear headphones. Voice or touch driven you can take pictures and videos, take and receive calls and messages, livestream, scan QR codes and have the glasses identify objects, all completely hands free. This Ray-Ban Meta represents the second and far more powerful and polished 2nd generation of the technology which, if no one told you, look like regular sunglasses.
I was taken by concept as most runs I take photos and videos for reviews and, when I see something, stop for interesting nature and scenery pictures. Dragging out a phone is easy enough but not nearly as quick, especially when running, as the Ray-Ban Meta are.
They are also a great option for those who like to capture scenes from their races or just to share experiences live or recorded with friends, be it cooking, concerts or travel.
Not much of a music or podcast on the run person as it’s one more thing to futz with, having open ear headphones, camera and voice access to my phone all in one device simplifies my content capture and communications while protecting my eyes as I almost always run with sunglasses.
I had the first "Stories" version back in 2021 (RTR Review) and while I called the concept the coolest tech since GPS, and meant it, the earlier version suffered from a lack of “horsepower” and polish with a less capable 5MP camera, not as quick and accurate voice command pick up, and buggy interface to the app.
All of those issues are completely resolved in the new Ray-Ban Meta with far quicker and more accurate voice recognition, and even in windy conditions, better picture and video quality, farmore seamless integration to the app and lots more brainpower via the use of Ai when glasses are connected to your phone via Bluetooth.
My pair is the Wayfarer Meta in Matte Black with Graphite lenses. Other frame styles and lenses including light adapting Transitions lenses are available, which would have been a better choice for early morning and afternoon runs. The lenses have 100% UV protection from UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. No question, all tech aside, they are also superb sunglasses.
Official Specs
Camera: 12MP
Image Acquisition: 3024x4032px Video Acquisition 1440x1920 Px @30 Fps
Battery: Rechargeable up to 4 Hours on a single charge
Microphones: 5 mic array
Memory 32GB Flash Storage 500+ Photos, 100+ 30s Videos
Features
Fit
Not the lightest glasses out there, given all the extras on board, the Meta Wayfarer weighs a still comfortable 48g.
While of course designed to be worn alone and prescription lenses are available I wear them over my regular prescription glasses with no issues of slipping with a wire neck cord.
Performance
I have taken the Ray-Ban Meta on 4 runs since receiving them, capturing video and pictures, playing music, and sending and having the glasses read messages.
While the glasses can also be operated to take pictures and video by taping a nice broad button on the top right stem I have mostly operated using the voice command feature. The recognition and speed has been outstanding. I even tested on a very windy day, up to 30 mph wind in the open and here it struggled a bit more.
If you do not have your phone with you the possibilities will be more limited, basically taking pictures and video.
The available voice commands are below:
I tested the “Hey Meta, describe what I am seeing.” as it was one of the most intriguing features of the AI system which Meta says will continue to expand. I asked what kind of tree I was looking at, and one without leaves.
The Meta Ai correctly identified it as an apple tree first and then potentially a pear tree, even giving me scientific names.
Picture and Video Quality
Picture and video quality is excellent given we have a 12MP camera, as performant as recent smart phones cameras if a bit blue in tinting for sky and ocean backgrounds. Note that they only take pictures and video in portrait mode. I would like them to be able to shoot landscape as well. It seems we also built in stabilization for video. Demo HERE
Audio and Microphones
The glasses have an array of 5 microphones including one in the nose bridge. Even in strong wind audio capture (for recording and voice recognition) is excellent although with 30 mph plus gusts in the open it did reach its limits and I had to repeat commands.
When connected to your phone, the Wayfarer will play music and podcasts from a variety of streaming sources including Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music. You can control music and volume by voice command or by gestures on the side stem touchpad.
The headphones are out of the ear and have excellent sound while providing good spatial awareness.
As the day dimmed to dusk on one run, I propped them up on my head and still could hear my music just fine if not quite at the quality level as when wearing the glasses,
App
The app is well designed with initial connection to set up presenting no issues. Captured content can be previewed in the app and then downloaded to your phone. I did note that in cold weather the app did not want to download as easily asking for a charge of the battery even when it was above 50%, likely a temperature sensor issue Meta will address with an update.
Conclusions
The Ray-Ban Meta are called “Smart Glasses” and indeed they are. The combination of great camera, sound system ( microphones and playback) and on the back end effective and evolving Ai from Meta transform the Wayfarer into “super shades”, a discreet, easy to operate and super helpful companion for content capture and all kinds of other activities. There only disadvantage for me it that they only shoot in portrait mode. Ray-Ban Meta should allow for landscape mode as well
Priced not that far above quality sunglasses, and also available in clear lenses as well as prescription, they provide so many more useful tools for content creators and really anyone on the go than mere shades that they are a good value.
Shopping at our partners for the Ray-Ban Meta is much appreciated and helps support RoadTrailRun
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses are available now
Amazon SHOP HERE
Reviewed style $329, $263.20 through Dec. 2, 2024)
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
1 comment:
These look so cool, so many possibilities for content creation!
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