Meta rolls out v28 for Ray‑Ban Meta AI glasses
Meta has pushed a new software version – labelled v28 – to its Ray‑Ban Meta AI smart glasses. The update is aimed at making the wearable more practical for everyday tasks, especially when you’re on the move. While the hardware remains unchanged, the firmware brings a suite of features that could tip the balance for anyone weighing a pair of glasses against a conventional smartphone.
Voice‑guided pedestrian navigation
The headline feature of the update is hands‑free walking directions. Users can now say something like, “Hey Meta, navigate to Piccadilly Circus,” and the glasses will start giving step‑by‑step guidance through audio cues. The system works in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and a growing list of global cities – a clear expansion from the limited pilot zones of earlier releases.
For longer journeys, the glasses will hand off the route to your linked phone, allowing you to follow a full‑driving navigation experience on the larger screen. Meta also added a share‑from‑phone shortcut: locate a destination in your favourite maps app, hit the share button, pick “Meta AI,” and the route instantly appears on the glasses.
This capability is particularly relevant for UK commuters who often hop between public transport and short walks. Instead of pulling out a phone, you can keep your hands free and stay aware of your surroundings – a safety plus in busy city centres.
Spatial Audio for richer sound
Another upgrade focuses on the audio pipeline. The new Spatial Audio mode creates a more immersive listening environment for music, podcasts and other stereo content. It can be toggled in Settings → Audio → Spatial and works on both the second‑generation Ray‑Ban Meta optics and the broader Meta Glasses collection.
While the glasses already support open‑ear playback, Spatial Audio adds a sense of depth, making it feel as if sound is coming from around you rather than just the left‑right speakers. For commuters on the tube or cyclists navigating London streets, this could make audio cues easier to locate without blocking ambient noise.
Mandarin Chinese language expansion
Meta is widening its linguistic reach by adding Mandarin Chinese (zh_CN) support across a range of functions: device controls, phone calls, messaging, media capture, music playback, the Meta AI assistant and the newer MMAI (Meta‑Managed AI) features. The move signals Meta’s intent to cater to a broader international audience, though UK users may benefit indirectly through more robust language‑processing algorithms.
Camera anti‑tampering improvements
Privacy‑focused users will note the continued refinement of camera anti‑tampering safeguards. The v28 firmware tightens the detection of attempts to obstruct or manipulate the lenses, helping to ensure that the glasses only capture what the wearer intends. Earlier releases introduced similar protections, but the latest iteration adds more granular monitoring and quicker alerts.
How the update fits into the broader Meta ecosystem
The v28 rollout builds on previous software milestones such as Conversation Focus, which leverages the glasses’ microphones to amplify nearby voices, and deeper Spotify integration that lets you control playlists without reaching for your phone. By layering navigation, richer audio and broader language support, Meta is positioning the glasses as a true companion for on‑the‑go tasks rather than a novelty gadget.
User sentiment on platforms like Reddit remains mixed. Many praise the convenience of hands‑free photos, calls and open‑ear audio, yet recurring complaints centre on battery life and the still‑nascent capabilities of the Meta AI assistant. The new navigation and audio features address some of those pain points, but the core hardware limitations – a modest battery that typically lasts a day of mixed use – remain unchanged.
What UK buyers should consider
For readers hunting a contract‑linked Android device, the glasses could complement a flagship phone rather than replace it. The navigation feature works best when paired with a Google Maps‑enabled Android handset, and the Spatial Audio experience is most noticeable with high‑quality streaming services.
Potential buyers should also weigh the price point (around £399 + VAT at launch) against the limited battery endurance and the current lack of a dedicated UK carrier subsidy. At present, Meta does not offer carrier‑specific deals, so the glasses are a straight‑up purchase.
Bottom line
Meta’s v28 update makes the Ray‑Ban Meta AI glasses more than a fashion statement. By adding voice‑driven pedestrian navigation, immersive Spatial Audio and Mandarin support, the firmware pushes the device toward everyday utility. However, UK consumers must still contend with battery constraints and a price tag that sits outside typical carrier‑subsidised contracts. If you already own a compatible Android phone and value hands‑free interaction while walking the streets of London, the upgrade is worth installing. Otherwise, the glasses remain a premium accessory best suited to early adopters and tech enthusiasts.
All specifications and feature descriptions are based on Meta’s official release notes and hands‑on reporting from Android Central.
