❯ Zuckerberg says Meta began developing camera-free Ray-Ban glasses before the privacy backlash, with no launch date set

In an interview with Joanna Stern, Mark Zuckerberg said Meta had begun working on camera-free Ray-Ban glasses before the privacy backlash against glasses with cameras. He described a development direction, not a product launch; price, capabilities and timing have not been announced.

Cameras are an important input for smart glasses. They can show AI what the wearer sees, enabling questions about objects, text and surroundings, as well as recording. People nearby may not know when they are in view, so the hardware affects both capabilities and acceptance. Zuckerberg’s point about work predating the backlash explains the project’s history; the interview did not provide full specifications.

If a camera-free version launches, it could suit places where recording is unwelcome and ease some privacy concerns. It would also have different visual capabilities, so it should not be treated as an all-around upgrade over existing glasses. For Meta and its competitors, providing convenience while making the device’s behavior understandable to others will affect how widely it can be used.

▪ SIGNALMass-market smart glasses must work for both wearers and bystanders; removing one sensor could sometimes open more settings for use.