Meta is set to unveil new smart glasses with a more user-friendly design.

Meta is gearing up to unveil a new pair of smart glasses that ditch the camera entirely, a move likely influenced by the backlash surrounding the video recording features of its current models. According to a recent report, these camera-free glasses, codenamed Luna, could make their debut at the upcoming Meta Connect event.

Instead of a camera, the Luna glasses are said to feature six microphones, enabling users to interact with Meta AI and the new Muse AI agent, along with built-in speakers for audio playback. By eliminating the camera, the design allows for slimmer arms, making them resemble traditional eyewear more closely. Meta aims to launch these glasses in October, available in two styles: Clubmaster and Burbank.

This is a pivotal moment for Meta’s smart glasses. While the existing models have gained popularity, they have also faced significant privacy concerns due to their recording capabilities. Some users have exploited the glasses to secretly film others, leading to incidents of harassment for social media fame. As a result, these glasses have been banned in various places, including New York courtrooms and major pub chains in the UK. Although the glasses come with a recording LED and Meta claims the camera will cease to function if tampered with, the company has found itself in a constant struggle with a small group of users who have developed methods to bypass these safeguards.

The report also mentions that the camera-free Luna glasses will be accompanied at the Connect event by new augmented reality glasses, codenamed Phoenix, which will be capable of displaying a virtual workspace or movie screen in AR. These are expected to launch in 2027, following a similar AR concept device set for release in 2024.

However, removing the camera may not completely alleviate Meta’s privacy challenges. Recent Apple Watch models have faced scrutiny for their always-on audio recording features, and Meta’s new glasses could still raise concerns due to their combination of microphones and a design that closely resembles regular eyewear. Trust is a significant issue for Meta, and the company often struggles to gain it.