Meta’s Glasses Can Focus in on Your Conversations With a New Update

Sorry, can you say that again? Meta’s smart glasses are introducing a new hearing assist function called Conversation Focus that, in noisy places, could make it easier to hear whoever is talking to you. The feature is part of a year-end update to Meta’s smart glasses lineup that was just announced today.

Conversation Focus was promised in September at Meta’s glasses-focused developer conference. And I heard it demoed then, too. The feature works using the beam-forming microphones on the glasses to directionally focus on whoever is in front of you, and then filter out other noise.

The idea is similar in theory to what an FDA-approved pair of hearing assistance glasses made by Nuance Audio does. The update should be arriving soon for Meta Ray-Ban and Oakley HSTN smart glasses, but it is available as an Early Access feature you have to opt into first.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

The V21 update adds a new camera-enabled AI feature with Spotify that launches playlists inspired by whatever you are looking at. Google has unveiled a similar feature coming to its glasses next year. Meta is also adding voice command shortcuts as well as extra programmable workouts using Garmin watches with their Oakley Vanguard glasses.

The rolling firmware updates from Meta may take some time to reach everyone, so there is a chance you may not see it today at all. I’m curious to give Conversation Focus a go soon, though, if not while wandering around the crowds at CES.