Experience the Thrill of Biking with Ray-Ban Meta Glasses: A Cyclist’s Ultimate Tech Companion | TechCrunch

Weekend bike rides are my favorite escape. Each pedal helps clear my mind, and over time, I’ve picked up useful gadgets to enhance my rides. However, I learned that bringing too much gear can distract me from enjoying the ride. That’s where the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses come in. They simplify my journey and add a bit of fun.

With these glasses, I combined my sunglasses and headphones into one device. No more fumbling with my phone for pictures—it’s all right there on my face!

Surprisingly, I’m not the only fan. According to Meta, they’ve sold millions of Ray-Ban Metas. CEO Mark Zuckerberg mentioned that sales have tripled recently, indicating growing popularity.

Many bikers are adopting these smart glasses. There are lively discussions about them on platforms like Reddit and engaging content on YouTube. Meta is also working on a new generation of AI smart glasses designed especially for athletes.

I was skeptical at first but decided to give them a try a few months back. Now, I wear them during most rides. Meta got a lot right, making it almost enjoyable to use them. With minor upgrades, these glasses could be a game-changer.

One standout feature is the built-in camera. It’s easy to take photos or videos while riding, just by pressing a button. This is a huge improvement over reaching for my phone, which can be awkward and unsafe.

While cycling through Golden Gate Park last weekend, I snapped pictures of scenic spots like Blue Heron Lake and stunning dunes. The camera isn’t perfect, but it captures moments I might have missed otherwise.

The glasses also have open-ear speakers, letting me enjoy my favorite podcasts or music without blocking outside sounds. This feature isn’t new—Bose offers a similar product—but I found the sound quality surprisingly good.

I even chatted with the AI assistant on my rides, asking about trees and historical buildings. It felt odd to interact with AI while trying to unplug, yet those brief queries sparked my curiosity without overwhelming me.

What’s great is that all these features come in one device. This means fewer items to charge and manage during my ride.

However, there are drawbacks. The glasses sometimes slip down my nose on bumpy roads, and their design isn’t the best for cycling. Traditional sunglasses have more streamlined frames, making them a safer choice on the bike.

Integration with other apps is also a hassle. For example, I struggled to get the AI to play specific playlists on Spotify. It often played the wrong one or didn’t respond at all. More biking-focused app integrations—think Strava or Garmin—would enhance the experience.

While Ray-Ban Meta glasses are compatible with my iPhone, I wish they had more seamless integration, like quick texting or navigation through Apple Maps. These features might come with future smart glasses from Apple to compete directly with Meta.

Speaking of the AI assistant, it could use improvement. Compared to competitors like OpenAI or Google, Meta’s AI feels less refined. For instance, during a “live video AI” session, it mistook a Ford Bronco for a vintage Volkswagen Beetle. Such errors planted doubt about its reliability.

Meta’s AI is also in the race with tech giants like Google and OpenAI, but right now, the experience feels unfinished.

Overall, I see potential in smart glasses for biking. The Ray-Ban Meta is a step forward but requires updates and improvements to truly shine during my rides.

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