Meta is releasing a new software update for its smart glasses. Version v21 introduces a conversation focus feature in noisy environments and a new integration of Meta AI with Spotify, which allows users to select music based on the current view. The update is initially being rolled out to participants in the Early Access programme.
The end of the year is a moment of intense development for Meta's AI glasses. The company has begun implementing update v21, which concludes an exceptionally active year of development for this category of devices. The new features are designed to make the glasses even more useful in everyday situations — from conversations in crowded places to discovering music in entirely new ways.
Conversation Focus — a conversation more important than noise
The previously announced Conversation Focus feature is beginning to reach users in the USA and Canada who are using the Early Access programme on Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta HSTN glasses. The solution has been designed for conversations in challenging acoustic conditions — in restaurants, public transport, or during live events. The glasses use open speakers to gently amplify the voice of the person you are talking to, while simultaneously reducing the significance of background sounds.
In practice, this means that the conversation partner sounds a bit louder and clearer, making it easier to focus on the dialogue without completely shutting out the surroundings. The level of amplification can be adjusted by swiping your finger along the right earpiece or directly in the device settings.
Meta AI and Spotify — music tailored to what you see
The second major novelty is the first multimodal music experience from Meta AI, created in collaboration with Spotify. The feature allows you to choose music based on what you are currently looking at.
Just say: “Hey Meta, play a song to match this view”.
Meta AI combines image recognition with Spotify's personalisation algorithms, creating a playlist tailored not only to the scene — e.g. an album cover or a festive landscape — but also to individual user preferences. This is an attempt to bring music recommendations from the phone screen directly into the real world.
Availability and Early Access programme
Update v21 is being rolled out gradually. It will first be available to users signed up for the Early Access programme, which can still be joined via the waiting list. The integration of Meta AI with Spotify is available only in English and in selected countries, including the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
