Meta does some great stuff smart glasses we checked it out at CNET, and now we’re introducing a few new frame styles. They include support for prescription lenses and aim to make the glasses work better as an everyday device that won’t look out of place with your everyday wear.
At the same time, Meta is also rolling out features that allow its smart glasses to analyze what you’re looking at to estimate calories, summarize messages from apps like WhatsApp, and provide situational assistance with its built-in AI.
Here’s what’s new.
New styles with ‘doctor fitted’ glasses
The 2025 Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2 sunglasses are compared to the 2023 model I’m wearing, both wayfarer black. Can you even tell the difference, without prescription lenses?
Meta introduces two new frame styles with Ray-Ban Meta Optics Styles. There’s the Blayzer Optics rectangular frame available in standard and large sizes, and the Sriber Optics round frame with a lighter, smaller form.
Color options include matte black, transparent matte ice gray and light stone beige. There is also a dark brown charging case for the new line.
The new models come with a new brown charging case and carrying case
The new prescription glasses are available for pre-order in the US starting at $499, and available from April 14.
The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 and Oakley Meta lines are also getting extensive lens expansion, with new color and lens combinations. These include Prizm Dark Golf lenses, which provide better vibrancy, contrast and color enhancement on the golf course and Prizm Transitions, which adapt to outdoor lighting.
Meta AI wants to analyze your camera feed and calculate calories
The second generation (or third generation if you count the News) Meta Ray-Ban sunglasses get great battery power that has changed the way I wear them.
The biggest software feature update comes with Meta AI’s increased ability to analyze camera feeds on glasses. Now you can enter food by simply looking at food or taking a quick photo, with a system that estimates nutritional information and tracks food intake over time. (You might want to double-check that the AI feature is fixing things, though. AI tools are known for it pleaseor make information with confidence.)
As part of its Early Access Program, Meta is also expanding messaging features. Its mirrors can now summarize incoming messages, including departures WhatsAppand allows you to respond by voice by asking “Hey Meta, I got my messages,” which generates a short group chat summary. You can also ask for specific details in a group discussion, such as “What did Jamie suggest for dinner?” if you want to select specific information in the dialog.
According to Meta, voice interactions are processed on the device and encrypted at the edge. The feature will be available to users with instant access to Ray-Ban Meta, Oakley Meta and Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses.
New features of the Meta Ray-Ban Display
Scott Stein discovered using the Meta Neural Band to control smart glasses.
One of the biggest new features includes the addition of Ray-Ban Display features. There is now support for Instagram Reels on glasses, and a personal Spotify shortcut below the media player for quick access to recently played tracks and playlists.
Meta has added two new games — the puzzle game 2048 and the platformer GOAT — that are playable on the display and controlled via The Meta Neural Band.
There are also stylish new widgets for Reminders, Weather, Stocks and Calendar on the home screen, and a new Calendar app that integrates with Google Calendar and Outlook for private viewing and scheduling.
Neural’s handwriting feature lets you write a message anywhere and works with a number of apps.
Perhaps the most interesting is Neural Handwriting, which should be released in the coming weeks. The feature allows you to type in any location to reply to messages silently. It will work on Meta messaging apps WhatsApp and Messenger, as well as unlocking iMessage and native Android the message.
In the spring, Meta also expects to release dual video recording, which allows you to record both display and point-of-view video at the same time. The file combines both video and audio into one video that can be shared with friends and followers.
For the globtrotters, Meta also has something for them in this update. Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta glasses will be available in other international markets (Japan, Korea, Singapore, Chile, Colombia and Peru) and will feature live translation in 20 languages, including Mandarin, Korean, Japanese and Arabic.
Meta representatives did not immediately respond to a request for further comment on the capabilities.
