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Comment by TransAtlToonz | Hacker News Reader

I got a pair as a gift and they've been sitting around unopened. I can't say I have any clue what to do with them—I like cheap sunglasses and I don't like talking to chatbots. I don't understand why we can't have dumb tools anymore.

I also strongly suspect these numbers are misleading. I was offered another pair for free on opening a verizon fiber account. I'm betting there's some scheme to pump up these numbers to make it look like they're catching on. Though perhaps this skepticism is negated by the increase in production.

Granted, I've seen a couple tiktokers use something like them, but I don't know what the experience is like getting that video out of Meta's grasp.

EDIT: added a couple thoughts.

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For me the meta sunglasses have two killer features. Taking candid pictures of my family is extremely easy, I no longer miss catching photos of small things my toddlers do and I'm able to do it hands-free. Additionally, they work remarkably well as headphones, they use some technique where only you hear the audio which is great both for music and for watching videos in public without bothering other folks.

I'm surprised the candid picture case is so compelling. I can pull my phone from my pocket, double click the power button to enter camera mode, then tap volume button to shoot, very quickly. Under 2 seconds easily.

Guessing based on what I see: The act of simply pulling out your phone can break the moment. Kids tend to zero in on it immediately, making it the new center of their attention.

After they learn, they can look at the picture you just took and then come and look at the picture you just took. It completely breaks the moment.

I dunno, I have lots of photos of kids on my phone just like I described. It's true, sometimes they do do that, but also, because I take so many, they got over it.

Ah, so the "candid" goal here is taking photos without the kids knowing?

Don't forget having to frame the shot, making sure it's in focus, ensuring your subject doesn't get distracted by your motion, and not fumbling your phone in the hurry to capture the moment... as opposed to pressing a button on the glasses you're already wearing.

you don't have kids

hands free though.

I mean this as unjudgementally as possible, but the first reason is super creepy no matter how well intentioned your use case is. I don’t think we were meant to prioritize capturing the moment so highly.

This might be the laziest shit I’ve ever heard come out of a slobbering consumers mouth.

This is the same thing Google did with Google Home. For a few years, a new Spotify subscription, Nest subscription, I think certain Google Drive storage subscriptions, etc. would give you a free Google Home Mini.

I do now have one in nearly every room in my house, and Google Home is pretty dominant in its field. I’m not convinced Meta glasses will have the same effect (I hope not) but it does seem possible.

> I don't understand why we can't have dumb tools anymore.

You can. Literally nobody is stopping you.

Riding my bike with open ear audio for podcasts and the ability to snap a quick video if I see something cool on a ride is extremely worth it.

The last version was chunky and cheap looking. I couldn't find a use for them and sent them back. And that was when I worked there. Wouldn't touch them now.

i use them as headphones more than the camera. their AI is useless and turning them on significantly lowers battery life. but then still useful as sunglasses without battery

They make great headphones and have a decent camera that is always ready to use.

> I like cheap sunglasses and I don't like talking to chatbots. I don't understand why we can't have dumb tools anymore.

It really sucks that dumb, cheap sunglasses no longer are sold. It’s either these meta sunglasses or have your eyes melt

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