"Hey Meta, Film This Rainy Street": Testing Meta's AI Glasses

"Hey Meta, what's the weather in Seoul today?" On the 22nd, when Korea's three mobile carriers simultaneously launched the AI smart glasses "Ray-Ban Meta (Gen2)," this reporter posed the question while wearing the glasses in the middle of Euljiro street in Jung-gu, Seoul. A voice flowed from beside the ear: "It's cloudy with a temperature of 26 degrees. There may be rain with thunder and lightning later today." When it began to rain shortly after, the reporter issued a follow-up voice command to "film a video." Even with an umbrella and bags in both hands, it was possible to capture the streetscape along the line of sight. The entire process, including uploading the recorded video to social media such as Instagram Stories, could be done through voice alone.

Descriptions of scenes in view and answers to random questions also flowed without interruption. When asked to "describe the scenery I am currently looking at," it said, "People are seen crossing a downtown crosswalk under umbrellas, and the sky is cloudy." When asked "what is the tallest building in the world," it explained, "It is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, standing 828 meters tall, which has held the record for the tallest building since 2010."

SK Telecom (017670.KS), KT (030200.KS), and LG Uplus (032640.KS) began selling Meta's AI glasses "Ray-Ban Meta" through their official online malls and select offline stores starting that day. Their strategy is to seize the market early, viewing AI glasses as the next generation of AI devices to follow smartphones.

Ray-Ban Meta is an AI eyewear device jointly developed by global eyewear brand EssilorLuxottica and Meta. After a voice call of "Hey Meta," users can converse with Meta AI to use features such as information search, question answering, and real-time translation. Equipped with a 3K UHD camera and five microphones, it also supports phone calls and photo and video capture. After first arriving in Korea in May this year, it was only available for purchase through Meta's official website and department stores, but the entry barrier has lowered as the three carriers joined as sales channels. This is interpreted as the telecom industry's strategy to expand its service ecosystem and diversify revenue sources based on AI devices. According to market research firm IDC, AI smart glasses shipments are projected to grow from 13.6 million units this year to 27.3 million units by 2030.

Accordingly, each carrier launched various discount programs linked to their plans and began operating experience zones alongside Ray-Ban Meta sales, kicking off competition to attract customers. With prices ranging from 690,000 won (basic model) to 740,000 won (polarized lens model) at the manufacturer's suggested retail price, the price point is not low, prompting them to establish differentiated discount strategies.

SKT will initially sell six types of Wayfarer models through its official mall and six stores in the greater Seoul area, and will operate demonstration spaces. Subscribers to premium plans of 100,000 won or more per month will also receive installment discounts of up to 12,000 to 24,000 won per month. The company is also reviewing the development of a specialized service that links its own AI service, A., with the AI glasses' voice- and camera-based interface. This is interpreted as a lock-in strategy to strengthen the user experience centered on its own subscribers.

KT will begin online mall sales that day, expand sales to general agencies nationwide from the 3rd of next month, and operate experience zones at 11 stores nationwide. It offers a 10% discount to KT membership customers, and choosing the "Yogo 69 Plan Device B Type" allows use at around 16,000 won per month based on a 24-month installment. LG Uplus also presented "Mania Device" benefits, where the discount amount varies depending on the plan. Combining subscription to a premium plan (such as the 69 and 65 plans) with a 36-month installment enables discounts of up to 80%.

Meanwhile, domestic online and offline distribution is handled by Shinsegae I&C. Starting that day, Shinsegae I&C supplies the product to domestic channels excluding Meta's own sales channels—including the three carriers' online malls and select agencies, as well as Electro Mart inside E-Mart stores nationwide, Lotte Hi-Mart, and SSG.com.