Meta’s AI glasses can now help you hear conversations better

Meta has recently introduced an exciting update to its AI-enabled smartglasses, aimed at making conversations clearer even in noisy settings. This innovative feature will initially roll out for the Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta HSTN smartglasses in the United States and Canada. In addition to the conversation enhancement, the update will also allow users to leverage Spotify to play music that aligns with their current view. For example, if a user gazes at an album cover, the glasses could automatically start playing a song by that artist. This playful addition showcases Meta's vision of merging visual stimuli with actionable tasks through their applications. The conversation amplification feature, first revealed at Meta's Connect conference earlier this year, enhances the voice of the person users are speaking with by utilizing the glasses' open-ear speakers. Users can conveniently adjust the amplification level by swiping the right temple of their glasses or through device settings, allowing for precise customization based on the surrounding environment, whether it’s a bustling restaurant or a lively bar. While the effectiveness of this feature remains to be evaluated, it's worth noting that the concept of using smart devices to assist with hearing is not unique to Meta. Apple’s AirPods, for instance, have a Conversation Boost feature that helps users concentrate on their conversation partners, along with a recent addition of a clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature in their Pro models. Currently, the conversation enhancement feature is exclusive to the U.S. and Canada, whereas the Spotify integration is available in English across multiple countries, including Australia, Germany, and the U.K. The software update (version 21) will be initially accessible to participants in Meta’s Early Access Program, which requires joining a waitlist and receiving approval, before being rolled out more widely.