Meta has unveiled a version of its smart glasses that uses audio features but does not include a camera, amid continuing questions about privacy and the public image of wearable technology.
The move follows criticism of camera-equipped smart glasses, which have faced negative reactions linked to concerns about people being recorded without their knowledge. The earlier products were given an insulting nickname by some critics, reflecting unease about their use in public.
Meta’s new glasses are described as audio-only, removing the camera from the design. The change has led to speculation over whether the company is responding to the backlash surrounding privacy and the wider concerns associated with smart eyewear.
The introduction of a camera-free model could help Meta present the technology as less intrusive, although the supplied information does not indicate how the company itself has characterised the decision or whether the new design has changed public attitudes.
The latest development places privacy at the centre of the debate over smart glasses, with the response to Meta’s camera-free version expected to determine whether it can improve the products’ reputation.
