Latest news with #RayBans
CNET
4 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Rare Meta Ray-Ban Deal Knocks 20% Off the Popular AI-Powered Glasses
Wearables have become an integral part of our lives, whether you're regularly rocking a smartwatch, smart ring or something else. When it comes to smart glasses, Meta's line of AI-powered Ray-Bans are in a class of their own, but they don't come cheap with pricies usually starting at around $300. Sales on these glasses going are pretty rare, too, but right now Meta is slashing 20% off various colors and styles such as Wayfarer, Skyler, Headliner and more. That brings the starting cost down to just $239, a price also matched at Amazon. If you're interested, don't wait too long. This sale ends on June 16. Whichever Meta Ray-Ban glasses you choose, they all have UVA and UVB ray protection, the ability to conduct video and regular phone calls and work with Meta AI to take photos and videos. You can even stream directly on apps like Instagram. They have a pretty solid built-in microphone, giving you clear quality when taking calls as well as great speakers for listening to music, podcasts and more. The battery lasts about one day before they'll need to be recharged. In his expert review, Scott Stein claims "Meta's glasses have shown me something somewhat astonishing at times: by being a companion to my everyday glasses, they achieve something -- even if limited -- that the most advanced VR mixed reality headsets can't." He also loves how AI isn't the main focus of these glasses. Even though that is a prominent and pretty useful feature, they are glasses first, followed by a camera and headphones and lastly an AI tool. These glasses are also getting new features at a decent clip, too. Why this deal matters These Meta Ray Ban glasses don't go on sale often. In fact, the last time we saw them on sale was during Black Friday last year. During the Black Friday sale, they were also discounted by 20%. Right now, the glasses are down to a starting price of $239, depending on which style you go for. Keep in mind, this sale ends on June 16.
Bloomberg
22-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Apple Plans Glasses for 2026 as Part of AI Push, Nixes Watch With Camera
By Updated on Save Apple Inc. is aiming to release smart glasses at the end of next year as part of a push into AI-enhanced gadgets, but it has shelved plans for a smartwatch that can analyze its surroundings with a built-in camera. Company engineers are ramping up work on the glasses — a rival to Meta Platforms Inc.'s popular Ray-Bans — in a bid to meet the year-end 2026 target, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Apple will start producing large quantities of prototypes at the end of this year with overseas suppliers, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the products haven't been announced.
Buzz Feed
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
23 Affordable Products That Look Expensive
A pair of sling-back mules so similar-looking to Chanel you'll find yourself triple-checking the price just in case! You can pair 'em with slacks or a cutesy lil' dress, and you'll basically be radiating luxury. A tote bag people will ~swear~ is the Longchamp Le Pliage bag at first (and second, and third) glance — after all, it even folds up into a lil' compact rectangle just like it. It's the perfect bag to take along to the office, thanks to how sleek and professional it looks. Plus, it's large enough to fit a laptop, toiletry bag, and everything else you could possibly need. Or an elevated laptop tote bag because you deserve to strut into work in style. It's roomy, super versatile, and the perfect alternative to the Béis Work Tote, for a lot less $$$. Some reviewers even say they like this one a lot better. A high-waisted mini skirt that looks incredibly familiar (hello, Aritzia? Is that you?) and made with a satiny material that is sure to make you feel ~très chic~. This skirt comes in many different colors, so you can snag a bunch of 'em for the same price as a single name-brand one — and no one will even be able to tell the difference. A simple, gorgeous tennis bracelet to add some ✨sparkle✨ to your wrist, but ya know, without costing you the down payment of a nice house in the suburbs. This elegant piece looks just like Swarovski, and reviewers say it doesn't tarnish, so it's bound to last you years. After all, diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but cubic zirconia is her lover. A classic herringbone necklace so those strangers you pass by at Starbucks think you ~actually~ spent $13,000+ on a gold necklace. This is so close to the Tiffany HardWear version, literally no one will believe you were able to snag it for only $20. A three-pack of vintage-inspired sunglasses to make you look like you dropped $$ on RayBans, but sans the crippling worry of accidentally dropping 'em. No need to fear losing these bad boys while lounging poolside at that fab resort you booked — these glasses are not only super cute but extremely affordable, so you can keep a backup pair (or two) for the days you misplace these at the tiki bar. And oversized square sunglasses that will make your friends think you shelled out the big bucks for Bottega Veneta, when really all it cost you was the price of two meals at Chick-fil-A. Plus, you won't cry when you accidentally lose a pair or scratch them up at the beach, which, let's be honest, is more likely to happen than not. A stylish fitness smartwatch because those expensive versions are not only a bit too pricey, but let's be honest, aren't even half as chic as these ones. They're water resistant, take calls and texts, monitor your sleep, AND have over 70 different activity modes for fitness tracking, including the ability to track your heart rate, steps, and calories for each workout. A pair of classic white sneakers, so you don't need to drop a whole day's pay on a name brand, just so you can have a cute "go-to" shoe you'll find yourself reaching for day in and day out. They're comfy, they're sleek, and most importantly, they won't hurt your wallet. A chain purse if you've always salivated over the thought of owning Gucci's Dionysus bag, but your bank account says ✨no.✨ This has the same chain style and front clasp, so literally no one will be able to tell the difference — don't worry, I won't spill your lil' secret. Or a quilted purse that's really giving ✨Chanel.✨ It's luxurious, has quilt stitching (be still, my beating heart), three compartments, and looks super sophisticated. You'll find yourself reaching for this bag on every occasion. The best part? This bag won't cost you a whole month's rent. A pair of stylish teardrop earrings so much cheaper than the (very) expensive Bottega Veneta ones that look exactly like them. These gold-plated earrings may look heavy, but reviewers swear they're lightweight and perfect for those with sensitive ears. A midi corset dress to make you feel like you're a modern-day princess just taking a walk through the woods. It has a back cinch and a front tie, basically all the same features as the TikTok-famous House of CB Carmen dress (but you know, not $225) — your little heart will be aflutter at the sight of this cutesy dress. A pair of slip-on loafer mules with the iconic gold clasp that'll have your friends swearingggg they're Gucci. Sophistication, meet an affordable price tag. Yeah, you def need these ASAP. A faux pearl choker so dainty and elegant, Vivienne Westwood herself will be impressed by how ridiculously similar it looks to the real one. Snag one of these to add a bit of "ooh la la 🥂" to any 'fit you throw together. A spandex-blend slip maxi dress sure to be your go-to piece any time of year. It's a gorgeous and simple dress that you'll find yourself slipping on every time you have an event where you wanna feel ✨fancy. ✨ Plus, it's so incredibly similar to the popular Skims one, but affordable enough that you can actually buy one in every color. Or a ribbed square-neck, long-sleeve maxi dress, also incredibly similar to the Skims version for a fraction of the price. It's soft, it's stretchy, and it's uber comfy, so you'll find yourself reaching for this piece almost every single day. A cubic zirconia cuff that'll have strangers actually thinking you spent (wait, checks notes) $17,000 😱 on the Cartier Love Bracelet. Not only is it less than $12, but you don't need to screw it on — unlike the way too ridiculously expensive version. And on that note, a cubic zirconia ring because you've always wanted the Cartier Love Ring to match, but not the price attached to it. It's simple, it's elegant, and it's pretty much guaranteed to never go out of style. Time to get one in every metal. A classic pleated tennis skirt to make it look like you belong at a country club tennis court — no one's gotta know you're on a budget. Reviewers have compared these to Nike, Alo, and Aritzia. Hello, bougie! A faux-leather belt that is sure to become the focal piece of your outfit. Is it actually Gucci? Perhaps not. But those buddies you meet weekly for brunch don't gotta know that. A loungewear set for those of you who don't want to sacrifice comfort for style. You can lounge around confident in your fashionista status with a set that looks ridiculously similar to the Skims set the Kardashians are known to adore. You, after calculating how much money you just saved: The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
From deep dish to ‘Da Pope': Social media users welcome the Chicago-born head of the Catholic Church
The new pope isn't just from America, he's from Chicago – a fact that social media users are eating up like it's deep-dish pizza. Robert Prevost became the 267th pope on Thursday. Pope Leo XIV, as he will be known, was born in Chicago, making him the first American to ever be elected by the conclave in the Catholic Church's 2,000-year history. Outside the Sistine Chapel, cheers erupted in the packed Vatican City, where many awaited the man who would be named to replace Pope Francis. Online, social media users flooded the internet with memes and jokes about the city Pope Leo hails from, including its signature deep dish pizza, its beloved but often disappointing sports teams, and all things Chicago. Everyone seems to be more than happy to lean into his Chicago roots. Even former President Barack Obama congratulated the new pope as a 'fellow Chicagoan.' He wrote: 'This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith.' If there's one thing that ties Italy and Chicago together, it's pizza. 'Finally Rome will have good pizza,' one X user remarked. 'Deep Dish beat Pizzaballa,' another quipped, referring to Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who was considered a contender to lead the Catholic Church. Comedian Jon Lovett joked about another Chicago staple: 'Ironically, picking a pope from Chicago probably created a fair amount of Italian beef.' Another poster alluded to Chicago-style hot dogs — famously jam-packed with yellow mustard, relish, white onion, tomato slices, a dill pickle spear, pickled sport peppers and celery salt and no ketchup. The user was hoping to ask Pope Leo: 'Is ketchup on a hot dog an actual sin?' Chicago is also known for its die-hard sports fans, as well as its intra-city rivalry between its baseball teams, the Cubs and the White Sox. Despite being from the south side, which is often associated with the Sox, Pope Leo XIV confirmed he's a Cubs fan (though his brother still insists he backs the Sox). Noting that the baseball team has only won three times in its 150-year history, one user joked: 'The first American Pope in history is a Cubs fan! He will certainly have empathy for the suffering.' Another posted a photo of the new pope dressed like Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka, with Ray Bans, a gray mustache and a 'Bears' logo across a navy robe. 'Sundays at the Vatican are about to be lit,' the caption reads. Yet another joked: 'The father, the son and da Bears, amiright?' Alongside a photo of a 1990s Saturday Night Live clip featuring four men dressed in head-to-toe gear discussing 'da Bears' in exaggerated Midwestern accents, one user simply put: 'DA POPE.' Others even posted a clip of the pope's first appearance set to the The Bulls' theme song: "Sirius" by The Alan Parsons Project. The white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel Thursday, signaling the new pope had been elected, a week after President Donald Trump said he'd 'like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.' Days later, the president posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed in white papal vestments and headdress — a move that sparked criticism but what Trump passed off as a mere 'joke.' On Thursday, The Onion, a satirical Chicago-based paper, splashed a photo of the American pope alongside a fake quote on its homepage. It read: 'Pope Leo XIV: 'There Couldn't Be A Better Time To Get The F*** Out Of America Forever.''
Forbes
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Netflix New Scroll, Meta AI's Game Changers, Neuralink Valued At $8.5 Billion
Netflix adds a TikTok-style vertical video feed to its homepage. This is such a good idea. The company faces an existential threat from its scrolling competitors to whom it has been losing the war for attention since 2022. The new Netflix scroll, which will also be on the Netflix app, will showcase trailers, clips from films and series, behind-the-scenes content, games, and fan content. It could be a testing ground for new ideas and talent. Every streamer should immediately copy this. AI search has also been added to Netflix search. That might be a headline on another day, but it's the AI understanding of your behavior that makes the scroll so addictive. Wearable AI Arrives As Meta Upgrades Its AI assistant app. The app, designed to compete with ChatGPT, offers standard AI features like text and voice interaction, image generation, and web search but, now, for the first time, it will have geolocation. In other words, when you ask Meta AI a question, it knows where you are and what you are looking at. Using information about your interests, location, profile, and activity allows Meta AI to respond to up-to-the-second contextual information. This has never been possible before. The app will also handle real-time translation. This a game-changer for AI on Ray-Bans which suddenly became a lot more useful. I'm going to wear them all the time now. As with everything Meta does there are concerns about privacy and other negative consequences. Tariff on foreign films is an exercise of raw power over media and culture. If enacted, it will accelerate the shift to AI and virtual production. The President has since walked back his threats to place tariffs on an industry with a 300% trade surplus. You can never be sure if he's trolling, or if he sees an irresistable opportunity to control culture. Probably both. Here's what would follow an imposition of tariffs to the entertainment industry: (1) Reciprocal tariffs on US products will help foreign competitors, who have been fruitlessly fighting an onslaught of US films and series for a century. (2) There are many nuances about what constitutes 'foreign.' What if the film is a co-production? Who decides? (3) The commerce department would need some kind of assessor to carry out the President's order. Therefore, each film and series will have to be audited and a tax paid before its release. (4) This will accelerate the transition to AI and virtual production. Teams for AI films will be smaller, distributed and remote. (5) The liberal multicultural entertainment industry is a frequent target of Trump and his supporters. Blows against them earn cheers from MAGA world. (6) In the end it's about the art of the deal. Producers, studios, and streamers need to get in line behind big tech and start buying some Trump coin. Even then, it might not help you. Just ask Google and Meta. Mark Zuckerberg thinks AI companions could supplement human relationships. In a recent Axios interview, he described a future where Meta's chatbot becomes part of a user's social life, integrated across phones, smart glasses, and eventually wrist-worn devices. The new Meta AI app already allows users interact with AI characters and share conversations with others. Zuckerberg says this could help address the loneliness epidemic. Critics are skeptical. The bots collect personal data, and Meta does not guarantee that conversations are excluded from model training. Elon Musk's Neuralink is reportedly seeking to raise $500 million at a pre-money valuation of $8.5 billion. This would more than double its last known valuation of $3.5 billion in late 2023. The funding round, still in early discussions, could push Neuralink's post-money valuation to around $9 billion. Neuralink has been conducting human trials and early results show participants can control digital devices using only their thoughts. Fortnite is back on the iPhone. After a five-year standoff, Epic Games is relaunching the game on iOS, citing a federal court ruling that Apple violated an injunction by restricting links to alternative payment options. The ruling weakens Apple's grip on in-app transactions and opens the door for developers like Epic to bypass the App Store's 30 percent cut. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said Fortnite will be available again in the U.S. App Store this week. But this is more than a game. Fortnite is Epic's metaverse platform, home to concerts, branded content, and a creator economy. Returning to iOS expands that reach just as Epic doubles down on making Fortnite a hub for games, social connection, and user-generated content. The metaverse didn't die, it just moved to where the users are. The first two stories in my series about the changes in Hollywood wrought by new technologies, rising costs, and lower viewership: AI and Hollywood's Next Golden Age and Hollywood is Losing The War for Attention are now live. MixRift has launched Battle Orb, a fast-paced mixed reality strategy game where players go head-to-head in immersive arenas that blend physical and digital play. Featuring 1v1 and 2v2 competitive modes, players aim, shoot, and outmaneuver each other using physics-based tactics to climb the global leaderboard. This column serves as the script for the news segment of our weekly AI/XR Podcast, co-hosted by former Paramount futurist and co-founder of Red Camera, and Rony Abovitz, founder of Magic Leap, Mako Robotics, and Synthbee AI. This week's guests are Tye Sheridan and Nikola Todovic of Wonder Dynamics AI. You can find us on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube. What We're Reading People Are Losing Loved Ones to AI-Fueled Spiritual Fantasies (Miles Klee/Rolling Stone)
