Meta may soon unveil a new pair of smart glasses without a camera, aiming to dodge the 'pervert glasses' tag that has dogged their flagship model. The new Luna glasses, codenamed by the company, will feature six microphones and speakers for hands-free chat and augmented reality experiences, and are set for release in October. However, the move may not fully assuage privacy concerns, as the microphones could still be used to spy while the glasses look like ordinary eyewear.

While Meta’s current smart glasses have been popular, they have also sparked a privacy backlash, with bad actors using them to surreptitiously record people. The glasses have even been banned from places such as New York courtrooms and Britain’s largest pub chain. Despite the camera being disabled and a tamper-proof LED in place, the company faces ongoing issues with users finding ways to circumvent these measures.

At the upcoming Meta Connect event, the company is also expected to showcase the Phoenix glasses, codenamed AR devices capable of projecting virtual workspaces or movie screens. However, the launch of these glasses comes at a time when trust in Meta is delicate, with the company often failing to earn the public's confidence.

Meanwhile, the recent launch of Apple’s always-on audio recording features in its new watch models has raised new privacy concerns. This highlights the ongoing tension between the convenience of smart technology and the potential for misuse. As we move closer to a world where everything we wear is potentially connected, the balance between innovation and privacy will remain a crucial issue.