Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Are Finally Popular With Regular People

Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses have done something that big tech companies like Google couldn't: they've become genuinely popular with everyday people, not just tech enthusiasts. These glasses were released in October 2023 and cost between $299–$379. They're now the most successful wearable device people wear on their bodies, aside from smartwatches and earbuds.

The partnership with Luxottica (a major eyeglasses company) was important because they already had stores and expertise in making glasses. The smart glasses appeal to people because they can take photos with your hands free, talk to an AI assistant using voice commands, and they're starting to be used by people working remotely and field technicians. Meta's winning approach was simple: take familiar glasses, add smart features gradually, rather than trying to invent something completely new.