Mark Zuckerberg launches perv-free glasses and puts Muse AI inside a keychain

Mark Zuckerberg revealed a bunch of new devices during Meta's annual Connect event. Leading the show were a pair of Meta Ray-Bans without cameras. Alongside, Zuckerberg also showcased Meta's first-ever AI wearable, the Muse Charm.Mark Zuckerberg launched multiple devices during Meta's Connect 2026 event. (Photo: Reuters)Mark Zuckerberg and Meta have been going all-in on AI in recent months. It is thus no surprise that AI was one of the main topics during the company’s annual Connect event. But there was more to it than just talking about AI integration. Instead, Zuckerberg showcased a bunch of new devices, including the company’s first-ever AI hardware device, the Muse Charm, as well as a new pair of smart glasses without cameras. The Meta CEO presented the new devices on stage, saying Meta’s longer-term focus remains on the metaverse while it also builds around AI agents. Ray-Ban Meta Audio glassesMeta debuted a camera-free pair of smart glasses called Ray-Ban Meta Audio, built with EssilorLuxottica. Unlike the regular Meta Ray-Bans that come with a camera, these pairs of glasses only come with support for recording audio. The Ray-Ban Meta Audio Glasses do not have cameras. The Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses have been launched at a time when there is growing pushback against Meta Ray-Bans due to privacy concerns. Some have given them the nickname “perv glasses” as users allegedly used those devices to record people without their consent. Though Meta says that privacy was not the only reason for the audio-only design and that demand exists for smart glasses without cameras, adding that audio has been its most popular feature since the start. The glasses also support music and podcast playback, with voice calls support and an AI voice assistant. As per the company, they offer up to 12 hours of battery life on a charge, with a charging case extending use to 48 hours. Meta said the lighter design, at 43 grams, made room for new styles including Clubmaster and Burbank, along with swappable or adjustable nose pads, adjustable temple tips and prescription lens support. The Audio glasses, however, do not give bystanders a clear signal when audio recording is under way, unlike Meta’s camera-equipped smart glasses, which flash a light while filming. The Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses will start at $349 (roughly Rs 33,400) and ship from October 13. Muse CharmMuse is the new sensation in the AI world that can do a lot of things for you – such as booking flights or shopping online. Now, Meta wants to make Muse a bigger part of your life with its first-ever AI hardware device, the Muse Charm. Meta's Muse Charm is a pendant-like device that can fit in your pocket. The Muse Charm is a small handheld gadget, about the size of an AirPods case. The device has a roughly 2-inch touchscreen, with support for 5G. The Muse Charm also comes with built-in speakers, microphones and a fingerprint sensor. As per the company, this charm is designed to fit on a keychain or in a pocket. Meta says that this new pendant-like device packs the “whole Muse experience.” This will allow you to talk to your personal AI agent without needing to use your phone. The Muse agent appears on the small screen as a digital avatar known internally as Jolly. “We’ve packed a lot of technology with this little guy,” Zuckerberg said. “So if you’re not wearing glasses, this is going to be by far the fastest way to talk to your Muse and to show what’s going on around you.”Meta did not announce a price, but Zuckerberg said the company was still finalising the layout of the components and was planning to have it “ready to ship in time for the holidays in December.”Apart from the Muse Charm, Zuckerberg announced that the Muse AI agent will become the primary interface for its smart glasses. This would allow you to use the AI agent for various tasks via your glasses, just like you would on your phone or through the Muse Charm.Meta VR GlassesThe Meta VR Glasses are the company’s first VR device since the Quest 3S headset launched two years ago. Unlike a regular VR headset, the VR Glasses look more like a traditional pair of glasses with a slim profile. The company says that the VR Glasses are smaller and lighter than the older Quest-branded headsets, weighing about 100 grams. Meta VR Glasses come with an external puck. The focus of the Meta VR Glasses is to provide an immersive experience in a comfortable form factor. The company says the VR Glasses will support streaming services such as Prime Video, Disney Plus, and YouTube, with some services offering virtual or 3D enhancements. You can also get 8K streaming support in some sports apps. The Meta VR Glasses respond to eye, voice and hand gestures. The headset has sensors that track your eyes and hand movements and reduce the need for controllers. Meta said there will be 75 games playable with hand gestures at launch, while existing Quest titles will work with Touch Plus controllers. Users will also be able to connect the device to a Windows PC or Mac. You can even use them to join video calls with holographic avatars on platforms like WhatsApp and Zoom.To make the VR Glasses slim, Meta placed the processor, battery and storage in a separate external puck connected to the glasses. This helps reduce the weight on the face of the user. The puck runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite chipset and supports up to three hours of continuous high-resolution media playback, along with 45W fast charging. The VR Glasses use magnesium alloy frames and pancake lenses. As per the company, they offer full-colour passthrough video, a 5K display, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos spatial audio and IMAX Enhanced certification.The Meta VR Glasses will go on sale in spring 2027 for $1,299 (roughly Rs 1,24,000). Though an India launch remains unclear for now.During the announcement, Mark Zuckerberg said,“We have built a new kind of VR device that delivers the same magical feeling of presence and immersion, high-resolution displays and views of the world around you in a form factor that is a pair of glasses for the first time.” Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3At the same time, Meta also refreshed its camera-equipped Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses with a slimmer third-generation design. The new Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 comes with a button to trigger Meta AI and a six-microphone array. The company says fthat the glasses get up to nine hours of battery life and a 12-megapixel camera that supports 3K video capture. Meta also updated its standard Ray-Ban smart glasses. There is also a new dynamic photo feature that will let you choose between several shots or ask Meta AI to suggest one. Meta states that the glasses will also get Dolby Atmos spatial audio support for video recordings soon. The new models include Aviator and cat-eye Zena styles alongside Wayfarer, and start at $449 (roughly Rs 43,000).Apart from the Gen 3 Ray-Ban glasses, the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are also being brought to more markets including, the UK, Canada, Germany, and France. New features include cycling and public transport directions in the heads-up navigation tool and landmark-based walking prompts. You also get holograms in WhatsApp video calls and web apps through the Meta AI app.- EndsPublished By: Armaan AgarwalPublished On: Sep 24, 2026 09:11 IST