Meta has introduced two new styles of its smart glasses, specifically designed to accommodate users requiring vision correction. These new iterations, named the Ray-Ban Meta Optics Styles, aim to overcome a significant barrier to widespread adoption: the need for prescription lenses.

Introducing the New Optics Styles: Blayzer and Scriber

The new frames are available in two distinct silhouettes: the rectangular “Blayzer” and the circular “Scriber.” These models are engineered with enhanced ergonomic features that allow for greater customization of fit.

Enhanced Fit and Customization Options

Compared to the standard Ray-Ban smart glasses, the Optics Styles include overextension hinges, adjustable temple tips for opticians, and swappable nose pads. These features ensure a more precise and comfortable fit for various users.

The frames will be offered in a palette of colors, including matte and transparent black, dark olive, ice grey, and stone beige. Even the accompanying carrying case comes in a dark brown finish.

Expanded Prescription Support

A key advancement is the glasses’ ability to support a nearly unrestricted prescription range. Previously, Meta’s smart glasses were limited to prescriptions within the $\pm 6$ range.

Meta spokesperson Albert Aydin clarified that the prescription range for the Blayzer and Scriber is technically unrestricted. However, customers ordering directly from Meta’s website will still face the original $\pm 6$ limitation. For prescriptions outside this range, users must take the frames to a certified retailer or optician.

Availability and Pricing

The prescription-optimized Ray-Ban Meta Optics Styles are scheduled to become available on April 14th. They are priced at $499 and are currently open for preorder.

Upcoming Software Enhancements for Ray-Bans

Beyond hardware updates, Meta is rolling out several new software functionalities across its smart glasses lineup. This addresses ongoing challenges related to privacy and usability that the glasses have faced recently.

New AI and Connectivity Features

  • AI Nutrition Logging: Later this summer, users will be able to use a voice prompt and take a photo of their meal to automatically log nutritional data into the Meta AI app.
  • Hands-Free WhatsApp: The Early Access program is gaining hands-free WhatsApp summaries, which Meta states will be processed on-device using end-to-end encryption.
  • Navigation Expansion: Turn-by-turn navigation support is set to expand to cover every city in the U.S. starting in May.

Furthermore, the Neural handwriting recognition feature will gain iMessage support in the coming weeks as it rolls out more broadly. Users of the Ray-Ban Meta Display models will also see two new games, 2048 and a platformer named GOAT, available now, utilizing the Neural Band.