Meta’s camera-free Ray-Ban Audio glasses go on sale

Meta has put its camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio smart glasses on sale, with prices starting at $349. The frames combine open-ear audio and voice-AI features without the camera hardware used in other Meta glasses. The glasses are available in two styles, Clubmaster and Burbank, through Meta and Ray-Ban channels and select retailers. They connect to iPhones and Android phones through the Meta AI app, according to product information from Meta. The frames include open-ear speakers, six microphones and controls on the temples for audio and calls. Meta says the glasses provide up to 12 hours of mixed-use battery life, or up to six hours of continuous audio playback. The charging case can provide up to 48 additional hours, according to the company. Those are advertised maximums; a reviewer who tested the glasses reported having nearly half the battery remaining after five hours of audio streaming and a one-hour call, but did not run the battery down completely. The audio-only design retains several Meta AI functions, including walking navigation and live translation, while removing the ability to take photos or video and use AI to analyze visual surroundings.