Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, already one of the more ambitious attempts at blending fashion with AI technology, are taking a leap forward with new updates that push the boundaries of wearable tech. At the recent Meta Connect conference, the company unveiled a series of software enhancements and a new translucent style for its Ray-Ban smart glasses, which promise to make AI more practical and useful in everyday settings.

One of the standout features is the new “Reminders” functionality, which lets the glasses “remember” things for you. By simply taking a photo of what you’re looking at, the glasses can store information and send reminders directly to your phone. Imagine scanning a QR code for a grocery list or taking a picture of a product you want to remember — Meta’s smart glasses now make this effortless, keeping track of your needs and delivering reminders at the right time.

Real-time translation is another highlight in Meta’s vision of the future. The glasses will soon be able to listen to conversations and translate them instantly between English, French, Italian, and Spanish. This feature, set to roll out in the coming months, will add a new dimension to travel and communication, making language barriers a thing of the past. For now, the glasses are already capable of translating text from still images, providing a preview of what’s to come.

Meta also addressed usability and interactivity concerns, focusing on enhancing the responsiveness of its AI assistant. During demos, the updated AI was able to recognize commands and respond to follow-up questions much faster than previous versions. This reflects Meta’s ongoing effort to make interactions with the glasses feel as natural as possible, bridging the gap between human and machine communication.

Alongside the software updates, Meta is introducing a fresh look for its smart glasses. A new translucent design, reminiscent of old-school transparent electronics like the Game Boy Color, gives a retro-futuristic vibe that reveals the tech inside. Limited to just 7,500 units, this clear-framed edition will surely attract tech enthusiasts and collectors alike.

With AI-powered wearables struggling to find a foothold this year — think Humane’s AI Pin and Rabbit R1 — Meta’s approach seems more promising. CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared his optimism, stating, “I think Meta AI is becoming a more and more prominent feature of the glasses, and there’s more stuff that you can do.” He hinted at a future where smart glasses could potentially reduce our dependence on smartphones, allowing us to keep our devices in our pockets more often.

Whether these updates and new styles will make Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses a must-have accessory remains to be seen. But it’s clear that Meta is determined to stay at the forefront of wearable AI technology, paving the way for a future where interacting with AI is as simple as putting on a pair of glasses.

Read more about Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses and their latest updates on The Verge.