New smart glasses are better, but many people still may not want them

In short: Smart glasses are getting more comfortable and more capable, but a major review says they still do not have a clear everyday purpose for most people.

What's going on

A new review from The Verge looks at a wave of smart glasses from brands like Even Realities, Meta, Rokid, Lucyd, and Oakley. The reviewer says these models are more stylish, affordable, and comfortable than earlier versions. Many can do simple things like play audio, show messages, and give walking directions.

But the review argues that the big promise, built-in AI (the chatbot-like assistant that answers questions and does tasks), often falls short in real life. Advanced AI features can drain the battery, work unreliably, or be awkward to use. For example, identifying objects or getting recommendations sometimes fails, or needs a strong internet connection.

Privacy is also a constant issue, especially on glasses with cameras. The review notes that “good” smart glasses often try to look like normal glasses, which can make people around the wearer uneasy. Some places are already banning camera glasses, including cruises and some courtrooms.

The review also points out a practical problem: glasses are not optional for many people. Yet prescription support is still limited across many models, and battery life can be a headache if you need the glasses to see all day.

What to watch

The review suggests smart glasses may make the most sense in specific situations, like travel, work, training runs, or accessibility uses. The key question is whether companies can explain why you should keep a computer on your face all day, instead of using it only when you truly need it.

Source: The Verge AI