Etisalat UAE Launches Meta Smart Glasses to Expand Wearable Tech Offerings

UAE telecoms group etisalat has commenced the sale of artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses from Meta Platforms, marking a strategic move to broaden its wearable technology portfolio. The smart glasses, developed by Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and manufacturer of Ray-Ban, are now available starting at Dh1,160 ($316), according to a statement released by Abu Dhabi-based etisalat on Tuesday. The available models include the standard Meta Glasses, the second and third generation Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, and the Oakley Meta HSTN performance glasses.

These advanced glasses offer a range of smart functionalities, such as real-time translation across multiple languages, personalized recommendations, search query capabilities, hands-free calls, photo and video capture, and audio playback. Etisalat has highlighted its position as the first telecommunications company in the Middle East and North Africa region to offer Meta smart glasses. Tamer Eltoni, senior vice president at etisalat UAE, stated that this offering represents "another step in expanding Etisalat UAE’s device portfolio around how people progressively want to live, work, create and stay connected." He further commented, "AI wearables are opening up a new way for people to interact with technology, making access more immediate, intuitive and hands-free."

Meta, headquartered in California, has emphasized that privacy features are integrated into its smart glasses and that it is committed to continuously enhancing user protections. Within the UAE, the ownership of smart glasses is permitted; however, utilizing their recording features without obtaining explicit consent can lead to penalties.

In addition to the Meta smart glasses, etisalat also provides a selection of smartwatches and smart rings. The telecommunications company is actively pursuing AI-driven growth, evidenced by the launch of a significant project aimed at developing and expanding digital infrastructure capacity both within the UAE and internationally. Furthermore, etisalat has introduced a commercial service designed to triple upload speeds for smartphones, reinforcing the UAE's ambition to advance towards the next-generation 6G standard for mobile communications.