"The Ray-Ban model carries an almost invisible camera in the frame, small open-ear speakers in the arms, and a discreet indicator light. Wearers can take a photo, capture video, place a phone call or summon Meta's AI assistant with a tap on the temple. For early adopters such as Mark Smith, a partner at advisory firm ISG, the attraction is mundane rather than futuristic. He wears his every day, he says, because they let him take a call or listen to a podcast while washing up without blocking out the room, and spare him from pulling out a phone to capture a moment while travelling."
"Meta has now shipped more than seven million pairs of its Ray-Ban smart glasses, made in partnership with Franco-Italian eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, and the device accounts for more than 80 per cent of the global AI eyewear market, according to Counterpoint Research. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's chief executive, told investors earlier this year that the glasses were "some of the fastest-growing consumer electronics in history", a rare bright spot for a company that has spent tens of billions of dollars chasing the metaverse with limited return."
"But the same product line is now sitting at the centre of a rapidly widening privacy row that could shape regulation, workplace policy and consumer trust for years to come, and which British SMEs, from beauty salons to cafés, are already being forced to think about. A camera in every frame The appeal of the device, on paper, is straightforward. The commercial momentum is undeniable."
Smart glasses are becoming widely adopted consumer electronics, with Meta’s Ray-Ban line leading sales and dominating the AI eyewear market. The glasses include an almost invisible camera, open-ear speakers, and a discreet indicator light, enabling photos, video, calls, and AI assistant control. Their convenience appeals to everyday users who want hands-free communication and media without using a phone. Privacy concerns are emerging because people nearby may not know when recording is happening, creating uncertainty for public spaces and workplaces. British small and medium businesses are already being forced to consider how to handle camera-enabled devices in customer-facing environments.
Read at Business Matters
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