Meta's new "Muse" glasses, camera-free

Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg unveiled camera-free smart glasses in California, focusing on audio and artificial intelligence, amid growing criticism of models that can record passersby without their knowledge.

Speaking at the annual Meta Connect event at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, Zuckerberg said, as reported by AFP today: “Without cameras, it opens up a lot of new possibilities in design.” He praised the glasses as being “lighter and thinner” and featuring the “longest battery life” in the lineup, without addressing the criticism directed at the camera.

Meta’s camera-equipped models face criticism, particularly in Europe. French courts are investigating videos of women filmed on the streets without their consent, while Oslo has banned their use in schools.

Vishal Shah, Meta’s vice president of AI products, said the indicator light, which is supposed to alert others that the camera is recording, has become “more visible” over time, adding, “This is not a change in our position” regarding recording.

The company announced the launch of its glasses with a display embedded in the lens in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, and France, where they will be sold at a starting price of 899 euros.

Zuckerberg presented the glasses as the primary device for “Muse,” noting that the company has “redirected” its efforts toward “personal superintelligence,” at the expense of the metaverse, which had previously been its main focus.

Meta also unveiled its upcoming virtual reality glasses, weighing approximately 100 grams—less than one-fifth the weight of the Quest 3 headset, which connects to an external unit. They are expected to be released in spring 2027 at a price of $1,299.