For many of my time as a tech journalist, the thought of good glasses has been decidedly underwhelming.
Whereas having the ability to pack a digital camera, microphones and different tech into eyewear is spectacular, I merely couldn’t perceive the purpose of them for most individuals. And who wouldn’t really feel a bit uneasy at being surreptitiously filmed on the road?
A brand new perspective
That was till I went to Hawaii for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit in October 2024. With a whole bunch of tech journalists and influencers in attendance, I used to be at all times more likely to be uncovered to new tech that I’d by no means seen earlier than.
My first direct encounter with good glasses got here on the second day after I tried the most recent Snap Spectacles AR glasses in a dwell demo.
The Snapchat maker’s fifth try at good glasses delivers a compelling digital expertise for gaming and training, even when they’re too cumbersome and costly to be a practical client choice proper now.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
However the true game-changing second got here when mendacity by the pool with two of my tech journalist associates. Each had been carrying the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which regarded rather a lot like my common wayfarer sun shades however packed in some spectacular further tech.
I used to be already accustomed to the thought of utilizing the built-in digital camera and microphones to seamlessly seize reminiscences while not having your telephone. When used responsively, I can clearly see how helpful this may be.
Nonetheless, it’s the digital assistant capabilities that actually grabbed my consideration. Not solely can you employ the Ray-Ban Meta glasses for primary climate and search queries, but in addition name upon Meta’s AI to raised perceive the world round you.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Inside a couple of seconds, my associates had been in a position to ask their glasses what species of chook was close by and obtain an correct reply. That’s a surreal assertion, and one thing I by no means thought was doable with present know-how.
There are tons of potential use circumstances, together with studying extra about totally different crops, translating textual content from an unfamiliar language and figuring out the track enjoying round you. Offered it’s correct, this beats pulling out your telephone each time.
Why Samsung?
This begs the query: if the Ray-Ban Meta glasses are so spectacular, why don’t I simply purchase them as a substitute of ready for one more tech large?
In reality, there are a few huge issues holding me again. The primary is value, with all variations nonetheless costing at the least £299/$299 on the time of writing.
The opposite, and arguably extra important, one is that it’s Meta powering the glasses’ most compelling options. Ever because the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018, I’ve been very uneasy concerning the quantity of knowledge I give to Meta. I nonetheless use Fb and WhatsApp, however having the corporate subsequent to my eyes looks like a step too far.
Loads of different corporations have dabbled with good glasses, however not one of the greatest telephone makers have given it a go – but. If rumours are to be believed, Samsung is gearing as much as launch its personal Galaxy good glasses in 2025, and so they could possibly be teased as early as January.
Samsung has already helped popularise the good ring with the discharge of its Galaxy Ring in 2024, and I’ve little question it might do the identical for good glasses in 2025.
Chris Martin / Foundry
I’ve typically loved utilizing Galaxy AI on Samsung’s telephones, and lots of of its options might work effectively on good glasses.
In line with leaker Jukanlosreve, the Galaxy glasses will match the Ray-Ban Metas in not together with a micro-LED display screen (it’s anticipated in future generations), however that works for me.
If Samsung might supply the same expertise for a cheaper price whereas sustaining its strict privateness credentials, I’d be very excited.