Meta launches next-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses

Facebook parent company Meta and Franco-Italian eyewear company EssilorLuxottica, best known for its Ray-Ban brand, announced the next generation of smart glasses on Wednesday.

Unveiled at Meta’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, the new smart glasses are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon platform, which enables higher-quality photo and video processing as well as faster computing.

The new collection offers the first ever eyewear with live-streaming and Meta artificial intelligence built in, as well as improved audio and microphone systems paired with a redesigned charging case, the companies said.

The live-streaming function allows content creators to broadcast their experiences in real time, hands-free. The wearer can toggle between the glasses and phone camera to Instagram live or Facebook live for up to 30 minutes.

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses on display at a Meta Platforms event in California. Bloomberg

Meta AI, the company’s advanced conversational assistant, offering is exclusive to the US market at launch. By saying, “Hey Meta”, wearers can get information and control features using their voice.

“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with Meta to build this nascent category from the ground up,” said Rocco Basilico, chief wearables officer at EssilorLuxottica.

“Meta AI, live streaming and insanely crisp audio and calling capabilities – all hands-free … this is what we imagined when we first decided to enter this space.”

Meta and EssilorLuxottica launched their first smart glasses in September 2021.

The camera in the new smart glasses has gone up from 5-megapixel in the previous edition to an ultrawide 12MP. They come with five built-in microphones to support switching between music and calls, while still allowing the wearer to hear their surroundings.

Starting at $299, the new glasses will be available for purchase from October 17. They also feature an improved companion app, Meta View – compatible with both iOS and Android operating systems – to import content from various platforms.

As a commitment to privacy, the company said it has made the privacy LED light bigger and more noticeable.

The new collection features 21 styles, colours and lens variations. It is available in a full suite of prescription, sun, clear and polarised lenses.

The company is also offering a “remix” option to let users choose frame colour, lens variety and finish to create more than 130 colour and style combinations.

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How to apply for a drone permit

Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request

What are the regulations?

Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
Should have a live feed of the drone flight
Drones must weigh 5 kg or less

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Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?

Some facts about bees:

The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer

The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days

A queen bee lives for 3-5 years

This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony

About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive

Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.

Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen

Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids

Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments

Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts

Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain

Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities

The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes

Is beekeeping dangerous?

As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.

“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”

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This month, Dubai Medical College launched the Middle East’s first master's programme in addiction science.

Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.

The move was announced earlier this year and is part of a new drive to combat drug abuse and increase the region’s capacity for treating drug addiction.

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'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”