Latest news with #smartglasses
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Urgent call to update laws amid rise of 'silent threat' on Aussie roads: 'We need to catch up'
Smart glasses are emerging as a "silent threat" on Australian roads, with experts warning their use behind the wheel poses serious risks to safety and privacy, all while slipping through existing legal cracks. Often designed to resemble regular eyewear, smart glasses come equipped with discreet cameras, microphones and even display screens built into the lenses. While they're marketed as a blend of fashion and function, their increasing use in Australian society, including behind the wheel, is triggering concern among industry specialists. Monash University research found that 13.5 per cent of Australian smart glasses owners had used the technology while driving or cycling. Even more had recorded others without their consent, often in spaces where filming is restricted. Now, Professor Hussein Dia, an expert in future urban mobility, has joined a growing chorus of voices calling for tighter regulation before smart glasses become a subtle but widespread threat to both road safety and personal privacy. Speaking to Yahoo News, Dia admitted the situation is worse than he'd anticipated. "It is more concerning than I initially thought," Dia said. "These glasses can not only record and store video on the device itself, but when paired with a mobile app, the videos can also be sent to the cloud or even streamed live for everyone to watch." The potential risks, he said, are far-reaching. "So indeed, they are a 'silent threat' to road safety and privacy. Their rising use, including while driving, presents serious risks to road safety and personal privacy, and their use seems to be outpacing current Australian regulations. They can distract drivers, stream video in real time, and record people without them ever knowing. "It's a legal blind spot, and we need to catch up quickly." Unlike dashcams or built-in vehicle cameras, which are fixed in place, clearly visible, and generally accepted as tools for recording evidence, smart glasses are different — they're wearable, can move with the person, and often look just like normal glasses, making them hard to detect. Major brands like Ray-Ban, Meta, Amazon, and Google have all released iterations of the product. "I thought to myself, well, how do they compare to dashcams or built-in cameras that record surroundings in some new vehicles on the market today?" Dia said. "This is where it gets interesting, dashcams [are] used for insurance or enforcement purposes mainly, but smart glasses are mobile and discreet, making them far more intrusive and especially, they could be mistaken for ordinary eyewear. They can store footage, upload it to cloud platforms, or even livestream content without the subject's knowledge, creating significant privacy concerns. "Dashcams seem to have some regulations around them, and they are visible, but smart glasses allow real-time recording of anyone, anywhere, without warning. That's a major red flag for both road use and everyday public settings." Dia explained that while dashcams are accepted because they record the road, smart glasses raise serious privacy concerns because they can go unnoticed in places like shops, schools, and restrooms, capturing personal interactions without consent. He also warned that they act as a visual and cognitive distraction on the roads. Their ability to stream, record, and display content in a driver's line of sight, Dia said, also makes them potentially more dangerous than mobile phones. From a privacy perspective, the law offers little protection. "While it's illegal to touch your phone while driving, there's no clear law banning smart glass use behind the wheel. Likewise, Australian privacy laws do little to restrict individuals recording in public spaces, unless audio is involved, or the act is deemed harassing," he said. "Current privacy laws offer limited protection — in Australia, individuals are generally allowed to record in public spaces, though state-based surveillance laws vary. But most do not adequately address personal use of wearable cameras, particularly where the recording is silent, visual-only, and not clearly signposted." To address the growing risk, he's urging lawmakers to act — not only through clearer legislation but by encouraging manufacturers to build in better safeguards. "With no uniform national rules around personal surveillance in public and limited road safety provisions for wearable tech, I think we need some urgent regulatory updates that could include amendment of Australian road laws to explicitly address wearable visual displays while driving; strengthening privacy laws to account for wearable and mobile surveillance devices; and getting manufacturers involved to introduce clearer recording indicators, and restrict usage in sensitive areas," he said. "Currently, the industry seems largely relying on users to self-regulate, which is not sufficient given the increasing sophistication and miniaturisation of these devices.' "As smart glasses become more common, this won't be just a tech issue, but more so a public safety issue. Without stronger rules, action and more public awareness, we would be heading into risky territory where smart glasses risk becoming a widespread yet largely unregulated form of mobile surveillance with implications not just for road users, but for public life more broadly." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Creepy as hell': Aussies are freaked out over the new Meta glasses
The future is here and Australians are officially creeped out by it and want it to stop immediately. Technology is changing faster than the panel on The Project, and Meta Ray-Bans have now been introduced to consumers. The smart glasses retail for around $450. They allow you to listen to music, film, make calls, and even interact with Meta AI — basically, like wearing a Google Home on your face. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses launched overseas in 2023 and were first made available in Australia in late 2024. To use the glasses, all the wearer has to do is say 'Hey Meta' and voice what they want it to do. So, if you don't mind walking around and looking like you're talking to yourself, this is definitely the piece of technology for you. Hollywood heavyweights Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt are even doing ads to promote the techy glasses, with Kris Jenner in tow. Usually, a celebrity endorsement is enough to win people over, but not this time because when hit the streets of Sydney, Aussies weren't fussed. In fact, they were straight-up creeped out and didn't want a bar of the tech-savvy glasses. Yes, even after Chris Hemsworth gave them his stamp of approval. Aussies really weren't shy about sharing their horror. When asked what he thought of the product, one man in a gorgeous red jumper stopped and went straight for the jugular. 'I think it is creepy as hell!' he said. 'I wouldn't buy them for myself and I'd prefer other people didn't buy them,' he added, before sauntering off down the road. A Gen Zer was a little less rigid in her opinion, she conceded that the glasses were 'cool' and 'had their place' in 2025 …. but …. 'They freak me out,' she admitted. Similarly, a young man stopped and said he found them a 'pretty weird piece of technology', which isn't exactly a gushing endorsement. In fact, he said he'd had the displeasure of seeing how young people use these glasses in the wild and, like a Boomer complaining about E-bikes, he didn't look impressed. 'I've seen people around in nightclubs recording people when they're dancing and stuff,' he told gravely. Another trendy young person stopped – you know she's trendy because she was wearing oversized headphones, airpods are out now, in case any old person was wondering – and also admitted she wasn't sold on the technology. 'I think it is creepy. You could have been filming me this whole time and I just wouldn't have known,' she said. 'I think that is kind of scary.' A man in a vest broke up the negativity by putting his detective skills to the test and arguing the glasses aren't that creepy because you can tell when they're filming you. 'I know you're filming because it is flashing. As long as that flash is there and I'm aware you're recording me, I don't really mind,' he said. Easy to say when you're young and still have 20/20 vision. Another Gen Zer didn't share this more relaxed opinion and said she wasn't a 'big fan' of the Meta glasses for one reason. 'I think it breaks a lot of consent about what you can and can't film. Something about having sunglasses on and not always knowing if someone is filming is quite freaky' she argued. When one woman was asked if she thinks it is a 'different vibe' depending on whether a man or a woman is wearing the glasses, she admitted it does. 'That is loaded! Yes,' she said. A Gen Zer said she didn't think gender mattered too much when it came to who wore the sunglasses. 'Maybe some guys look at places you aren't really supposed to look at, but still both ways, people can look in the wrong direction,' she pointed out. Another young woman admitted she'd need to think about the question more, but her initial reaction was …. yes. 'Initially, I'm sort of say like 'yes', but I'd need to think about that a lot more deeply,' she said.
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Google's second swing at smart glasses seems a lot more sensible
Well over a decade on from its initial launch, it's safe to say that Google Glass was not a success. While the product had some forward-thinking ideas, it's generally not a good sign when your product leads to the coinage of a brand-new insult. The design was off-putting and the technology wasn't ready—and neither was society. Today, things are a little different. Meta and Ray-Ban's smart glasses are a hit, despite offering the same camera capabilities that turned so many off Google Glass in the first place. It helps, of course, that they just look like normal Ray-Bans. So for Google's second swing at the product category, it's focusing on design and functionality. At its I/O keynote this week, Google's XR VP Shahram Izadi gave a snappy but convincing demonstration of how the company plans to attack the form factor this time around. Android apps and Gemini While Google's glasses strategy falls under Android XR, the same operating system powering Samsung's upcoming Vision Pro competitor, it made sure to emphasize that the platform will appear in different forms on a range of hardware. 'We believe there's not a one size fits all for XR, and you'll use different devices throughout your day,' Izadi said, noting that an immersive headset like Samsung's is better suited to movies or games, while lightweight glasses are designed for on-the-go use as a complement to a phone. The connecting thread between the form factors is Android apps and Gemini. Google says it's adapting its own apps like Maps, Photos, and YouTube for XR, while mobile and tablet apps will work as well—although presumably not on glasses, unless they get some significant updates from developers. A multi-device future The Gemini AI assistant, meanwhile, ought to work seamlessly across both headsets and glasses. Elsewhere at I/O, Google placed an emphasis on how Gemini will benefit when you share more personal information, which positions it well for a multi-device future—including the phone. Meta, of course, will have something to say about that after recently converting its Ray-Ban companion app into a more general app for Meta AI. The standard spec for Android XR glasses covers devices with and without an in-lens screen. Google didn't go into details about the display technology involved, but it's the most obvious path to a functional improvement over the current Meta Ray-Bans. Lately I've been using Gemini with Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2—supposedly 'built for Gemini AI'—and while it works well for what it is, I think AI chat interfaces are a lot less compelling when you can't read the responses. Beyond Gemini, the ability to see notifications, Maps directions and real-time language translations could make a huge difference to the smart glasses experience. Design Partners Design is obviously critical to any wearable technology, and Meta made a strong move by tying up dominant eyewear company EssilorLuxottica—parent of Ray-Ban and many other brands—to a long-term partnership. The Meta Ray-Bans would not be anywhere near as popular if they weren't Ray-Bans. In response, Google has partnered with U.S. retailer Warby Parker and hip South Korean brand Gentle Monster for the initial batch of Android XR glasses. No actual designs have been shown off yet, and it'll be hard to compete with the ubiquitous Wayfarer, but the announcement should ensure a solid range of frames that people will actually want to wear. Google is also working with AR company Xreal on a pair of developer-focused XR glasses called Project Aura. Xreal is a leader in the nascent space for smart glasses; I've been using its Air 2 glasses for a while and have found them to be great for watching movies or extending a MacBook display on the go. Project Aura is intended to be more capable than the first set of display-equipped Android XR devices that hit the market—it'll hook up to an external processing puck that handles computational tasks. 'Normal glasses' Google cofounder Sergey Brin weighed in on the company's past ventures into glasses in an I/O interview with Alex Kantrowitz's Big Technology Podcast this week. 'I learned a lot,' he said. 'Definitely feel like I made a lot of mistakes with Google Glass, I'll be honest. I'm still a big believer in the form factor, so I'm glad we have it now. And now it looks like normal glasses and doesn't have the thing in front.' Beyond the form factor, Brin pointed to the rise of AI as a game changer for smart glasses capability, allowing them to 'help you out without constantly distracting you.' He also noted that this time Google is working with hardware partners rather than attempting to wrangle efficient manufacturing by itself. Compelling and deliverable Overall, Google's take on Android XR for glasses looks pretty compelling at this stage—but more importantly, it feels deliverable. It's still early, of course, and lifestyle products like this aren't necessarily well-suited to keynote demonstrations. But as someone who uses Meta Ray-Ban and Xreal glasses regularly, it isn't hard to imagine a world in which Android XR glasses are ultimately able to combine the best qualities of both. Now Google has to execute on the design and the software.
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Hands-free, AI-driven, and stylish: Priced at Dh1,330, are Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses making life easy?
You know that feeling when you unwrap a shiny new toy and instantly want to show it off? That's exactly what the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses feel like to me—except this isn't just any toy. It's wearable tech that walks the fine line between futuristic and fashionable. Meta and EssilorLuxottica's latest offering—now officially launched across the UAE—blends Ray-Ban's iconic eyewear with artificial intelligence, multimedia functionality, and hands-free freedom. And as someone constantly juggling calls, catching up on headlines, capturing fleeting moments, and toggling between apps—these glasses feel like a low-key Jarvis wrapped in Shiny Chalky Grey. Yes, I made an Iron-Man reference. One of the first things I noticed (and loved) was the open-ear speaker system. It's discreet, non-invasive, and surprisingly punchy—especially the bass. The medium volume setting is ideal: loud enough to enjoy your music or podcast, but soft enough to still hear the world around you. Whether I'm walking between meetings, heading to interviews, or just grabbing coffee, I don't need to pull out earbuds anymore. Phone calls? Crystal clear. Even in the middle of a busy street, the five-mic array filters out enough noise to keep conversations sharp and easy. Photo and video capture is another standout. The 12MP ultra-wide camera delivers immersive, portrait-oriented 1080p videos—perfect for social media content or just reliving your day through your own eyes. But here's a small gripe: it would be nice to have different aspect ratios—portrait mode is the default, and in my opinion, it limits creative flexibility. Different formats would definitely open up even more storytelling options. What really excited me? Livestreaming. The ability to broadcast directly to Instagram or Facebook Live, hands-free, for up to 30 minutes—that's a dream for creators, reporters, and influencers alike. It gives viewers your literal point of view, with zero fuss. "Hey Meta" Let's talk about the built-in Meta AI. It responds instantly when you say 'Hey Meta' and can tell you anything from local news to a landmark's backstory. As a journalist, I tested its usefulness by asking about trending headlines in Dubai and globally. While the info wasn't always laser-accurate, it was never false—just a little fuzzy around the edges. Still, the very fact that I can now ask my glasses what's happening in the world and get a solid answer in real-time? That's wild. Even cooler: Meta promises more updates, including live translation (coming soon to the UAE) and offline voice support with pre-downloaded language packs. This isn't just tech for today—it's a platform that's learning, adapting, and becoming more useful with time. The one feature I'd fix While the features work well, one thing bugged me: the glasses respond to any voice. So if your friend borrows them and says 'Hey Meta,' the AI answers them just as it would you. Voice recognition limited to the primary wearer would be a logical next step — both for privacy and a more personalised experience. The Ray-Ban Meta collection brings together form, function, and future-thinking in one stylish package. Add in prescription, sun, clear, polarised or Transitions lenses, and it becomes even more personal. Starting at Dh1,330 in the UAE, this isn't just a pair of smart glasses—it's a statement. A hint of what's next. And while we're still far from holographic projections or full-fledged Iron Man tech, this is a promising prototype of what's to come. Final verdict? A smart, sleek, and surprisingly capable everyday wearable that makes you feel just a little bit like Tony Stark — without needing a billion-dollar lab.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I Hated Smart Glasses, but Google's Android XR Let Me See a New Future
For 5 minutes on Tuesday, I felt like Benji in Mission: Impossible -- Rogue Nation. But instead of wearing smart glasses at the Vienna State Opera and hearing Tom Cruise's voice, I was standing in a 5-by-5-foot wooden shed at the Google's I/O developer conference with Gemini AI in my ear. I got to test out a pair of Android XR glasses that look like something Poindexter from Revenge of the Nerds would wear. In the right lens, there's tiny white text displaying the time and weather: 2:24 p.m., 73 degrees. If this were all that smart glasses could do, I'd be happy. But that was just the home screen. Next, I used the prototype frames to take a photo and view a full-color preview, right on one of the lenses. It was wild to simultaneously see a picture and then the actual world through it. The futuristic frames are a very early prototype of the Android XR glasses that Google is making in partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm. In nearly every way, these frames look like normal prescription glasses. In fact, Google announced it'll work with Warby Parker (my go-to glasses brand for years) and swanky South Korean eyeglass brand Gentle Monster (Beyoncé and Rihanna wear them) for actual frame designs when they ship. Unlike regular glasses, these frames are loaded with tech. There's a microphone and speaker that can be used to dictate prompts for Gemini and listen to the responses. On the top edge of the temple, there's a physical camera shutter button. You can interact with the sides of the frames. And the glasses are packed with sensors that interpret your movements as input, so that Google Maps, for instance, show you directions, no matter which direction you're looking. Until now, I've shrugged off other smart glasses like an annoying invite to a friend's improv comedy show. They don't seem worth the effort and price. However, these may be the turning point. Google is striving to make Android XR frames stir up interest beyond just early adopters looking for an alternative to Meta's Ray-ban smart glasses. During my brief encounter, I left thinking that there's definitely potential for wider appeal here, especially if Google can get more people to try them. The controls seemed intuitive like a natural extension of an Android phone" target="_blank. Years from now, I envision going to the eye doctor and being asked if you want the optional Android XR and Gemini addition -- in much the way we are now asked if we want a coating for blue light. The standout feature to me is the tiny display on the right lens of Google's glasses. But describing how the display works on these frames approaches Defcon 1 levels of technical mastery, so I enlisted some help. As Luke Skywalker has Yoda, I have CNET's Scott Stein, who's seen it all when it comes to AR and VR glasses and headsets. Turns out he got to try a similar prototype of these glasses last year. "These glasses have a single display in the right lens, projected in via a Micro LED chip on the arm onto etched waveguides on a small square patch on the lens glass," Stein told me. This display is where the magic happens. Not only can it show an Android XR interface and animations, but it does so in color -- even with the few photos that I got to take. Also I was impressed with how the UI disappeared when I wasn't directly using it. Google's Gemini is built into XR, so I can ask my glasses to give me more information on whatever I'm looking at. In the Lilliputian-size demo shed, I asked Gemini about a couple of paintings on the wall. I could hear responses via the speaker that's nestled in the glasses' temple, but those around me couldn't hear anything. It definitely made me feel like a spy. Then I got to try Google Maps. I never knew getting directions could be so enjoyable. I saw a circular map with street names and an arrow pointing in the direction I should go. As I moved, the little map rotated. It felt a bit like moving the camera in a video game with a controller to get a better view. And that was it. Any initial skepticism I had for smart glasses was wiped away. But I do have questions. How long does a pair of these glasses last on a single charge? Am I supposed to use these as my everyday frames? Should I have a second regular pair of glasses to wear when I charge them so that I can see? And how much is a pair going to cost me? Will there be a rise in people walking into walls because they're distracted by whatever they're interacting with on their lenses? Google doesn't have much to share with me yet, so I guess we'll find out more in the coming months and years. I spent about 5 minutes in the frames, but if you want to know more, check out this more in-depth look at Android XR by CNET's resident smart glasses expert, Scott Stein.
