Meta Updates Smart Glasses with Audio Enhancements

Meta unveiled a significant software update for its Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses on Tuesday, introducing features designed to enhance audio experiences in everyday situations. The version 21 update, rolling out initially to participants in the company's Early Access Program, includes Conversation Focus for clearer conversations in noisy settings and a new Spotify integration that ties music playback to visual surroundings. The rollout begins in the United States and Canada for the conversation feature, with broader availability planned in stages.

Conversation Focus aims to address a common challenge in bustling environments by using the glasses' open-ear speakers to amplify the voice of the person directly in front of the wearer, making it stand out above background noise without fully isolating the surroundings. Meta first previewed the tool at its Connect conference earlier this year, and it activates through voice commands or gestures. Users can fine-tune the amplification level by swiping the right temple of the glasses, similar to adjusting volume for music, or via the connected device settings. This allows customization for scenarios such as crowded...