Three Week Review of Meta Ray-Ban Display AI Glasses for Construction

Like many in tech, I was intrigued when the new Meta display glasses launched. I’m not usually an early adopter, more of what I’d call an optimistic cynic, skeptical at first but hopeful enough to try. Once the Meta glasses started to feel like they might actually be something, I went on a mission to get a pair.

That meant calling every Best Buy near the Canadian border, adding associates on LinkedIn in Buffalo, and finally flying to New York after spotting a Reddit post that a Sunglass Hut was selling them without an appointment. I picked them up on October 4, just a few days after launch, and was likely one of the first people in Canada to get them.

I decided to wait three weeks before writing this review to see which parts of the experience would actually stick.

The Audio

This is by far the most impressive part of the Meta glasses. Phone calls on the go are seamless, and people on the other end usually assume I’m sitting at my desk. The glasses filters background noise out extremely well and can distinguish between my voice and other speakers, even on job sites. I’ve taken while biking, in coffee shops, and on construction sites, all without any fuss. I find this is much better than earphones that can filter out sound around you.

I can take audio notes on presentations I attend or if I want to make a quick reminder, it's pretty easy.

Listening to music through them is also a standout feature though likely less relevant to the job site. It feels like you’re in a room with a great sound system vs wearing headphones. It’s open, natural, and surprisingly immersive. I’ve even replaced my earphones completely, using the glasses for calls, music, and video meetings.

The Photos

I’ve never been one to take many photos, but that’s changed. With the glasses, taking photos feels effortless and natural. There’s no awkward pause to pull out your phone or step out of a moment; you just tap, and it’s done. That small difference means I’ve been documenting far more of my day-to-day, especially if I’m on site.

The new photo preview on the display is one of the few features that genuinely feels ready. It’s a small but meaningful upgrade since you can instantly see if you captured what you intended, something previous smart glasses didn’t offer. You can also zoom but I found after three weeks, I used that feature less.

The Display and Neural Wristband

The display is interesting but not yet ready for prime time. The concept of notifications, quick previews, and light interactions is great. In practice, the ecosystem is limited. Right now, you can only use Meta’s own apps such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and music players like Spotify or Apple Music.

The neural wristband, which is supposed to control the interface, is a fascinating glimpse of the future. You scroll and tap through invisible menus using micro-movements of your fingers. But it’s unreliable. On job sites or in cold weather, when your muscle twitches are less distinct, it struggles to pick up commands. I can see the potential, and it could be incredible with gloves or safety gear, but it’s not there yet.

Meta AI

This is where I felt the glasses fell short the most. Meta AI can technically “see” what you’re seeing and answer questions, but its responses are far from accurate or just not detailed enough. It’s nowhere near ChatGPT-level performance, it can't recognize basic building components or hold a dialogue to dig deeper into topics. It’s exciting in theory but frustrating in practice.

That said, the idea of pairing a vision-aware AI with this form factor is the right direction. When it works, it hints at a future where AI assistants actually understand physical context on construction job sites, not just text or screens.

Day-to-Day Use

I wear the glasses when I’m moving between locations, such as walking to lunch, commuting, or heading to job sites. Since I don’t normally wear glasses, I take them off when I’m stationary, mostly because of comfort. Matt, our CTO, got the black pair and they blend in better; mine get noticed occasionally.

After three weeks, the pattern is clear. I use them primarily for audio and quick photo capture. The display and wristband are more novelty than necessity right now.

Where This Is Going

It’s easy to imagine how transformative this could become once third-party apps are allowed. Imagine taking a photo of an issue on-site and instantly discussing it with an AI that has full visual context. That’s exactly what we’re exploring at Guild AI, finding ways to connect this kind of real-world data capture to the work of engineers, contractors, and inspectors.

The physical world has lacked real integration with our digital tools for too long. These glasses are an early step toward closing that gap.

If you’re in construction or engineering and curious how this could fit into your work, I’d love to hear your thoughts. We’re already experimenting with Meta’s hardware to help the AEC industry build faster, smarter, and better.