As 2024 draws to a close, you’ve likely noticed our recent flurry of activity—it’s time to share our top picks and letdowns amid the holiday season’s turkey and foie gras!
So, which product caught my eye this year? While it’s always tough to choose just one, my decision was quick this time: it’s undoubtedly the Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
Given the popularity of my review (nearly 80,000 views on YouTube and equally many on the blog), there’s no question that this product has garnered interest well beyond the Apple ecosystem. It’s no wonder, as nearly every eyewear shop front seems to be inviting people to try them out, and they account for more than half of Ray-Ban’s sales!
Apple Should Have Created These!
I won’t rehash the entire review, but I must admit that these glasses have become a far bigger part of my life than I had initially imagined! They have taken over many of the functions of my iPhone (listening to music, dictating messages, and taking photos and videos…) and have completely overshadowed my daily use of AirPods, except on rare occasions like for noise cancellation on flights.
I’m also seeing more and more people purchasing a second pair for computer use or reading, without the solar lenses. The comfort of having earphones without actually wearing any cannot be overstated—you can, for instance, listen to a message or watch a video discreetly without seeming disconnected from your surroundings… especially since AirPods aren’t always comfortable for everyone.
It’s surprising that Apple hasn’t launched a similar product, as it fits well with the brand’s ethos: a simple, practical, useful item with no unnecessary technology. However, the only drawback is that it’s not fully integrated with the iPhone (notifications, images, Siri…) Has Tim Cook even tried these glasses?
Exciting Prospects Ahead!
Even though European legislation significantly limits innovation, the future possibilities for these smart glasses are vast.
While many dream of having an integrated display (which is on its way, but not just yet), they currently offer real-time translation capabilities. I often travel to countries where I’m not fluent in the local language, and these would allow for seamless understanding without any effort on the part of the speaker. Another feature already available in the USA is using AI to recognize what you see: identifying the contents of a product in a store, comparing prices, or getting information on landmarks you’re visiting—the possibilities are endless!
Eventually, once manufacturers manage to incorporate a display overlay and simplify interactions, the iPhone might only be used for typing and relaying data to the glasses. For Apple, this represents a significant risk, especially if smartphones become less essential for everyday use…