Meta is putting one of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses’ most useful features behind a monthly subscription.
The change arrives with Version 26 of the Ray-Ban Meta software. Here, Conversation Focus now falls under the new Meta One Premium subscription. The feature uses the glasses’ microphones and speakers to make the person speaking directly in front of you easier to hear. It does this by reducing surrounding conversations.
Without a subscription, Conversation Focus is capped at three hours each month – roughly six minutes a day. However, paying $20 (£15) per month for Meta One Premium increases that allowance to 15 hours per month. This is around 30 minutes a day.
The move is notable because Conversation Focus doesn’t appear to rely on Meta’s latest AI models. Instead, it uses the smart glasses’ built-in microphones and audio hardware to enhance voices in front of the wearer. While Meta doesn’t officially classify it as an accessibility feature, it could still prove especially useful for people who struggle to hear conversations in busy environments.
The subscription also unlocks access to Meta’s more advanced AI features across its devices. However, Conversation Focus is one of the first practical everyday tools to receive a usage cap.
Version 26 isn’t all bad news, though. The update also introduces Muse Spark, Meta’s latest AI assistant, alongside Dynamic Photo, a new burst photography mode. It also adds support for Instagram Instants, WhatsApp voice chats, and a Battery Saver mode to help extend runtime.
Meta is also expanding language support, with full Japanese and Korean support joining the platform. This comes alongside translations for 14 additional languages including Greek, Dutch, Thai, Russian, Turkish, and Mandarin.
While adding more AI features broadens their appeal, limiting one of the glasses’ most practical functions could prove frustrating for users who were already relying on it without expecting another monthly bill.
