Latest news with #MetaRay-Ban
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Push for faster WiFi for next gen gadgets faces spectrum interference concerns
As India moves towards opening a key spectrum band for next-generation Wi-Fi services, the government is treading cautiously over demands to raise the power limit allowed for licence-free use of the devices in the band, officials in the know said. The matter concerns the amount of energy—or power—that a Wi-Fi device uses to transmit its signal over radio frequencies. Higher power means the signal is stronger, allowing it to travel farther, pass through walls and other obstacles more effectively, and maintain a stable connection over a wider area. Higher power is especially important for next-generation applications that require high-speed, low-latency connections across larger spaces. But too much power can cause interference, so the government sets limits depending on how and where the device is used (like indoors vs outdoors). Big Tech and broadband firms such as Meta, Sony, Google, and Apple, through their associations, are pushing for higher transmission power to support faster, wider Wi-Fi coverage and better experience to consumers. But officials warn that such changes to power limit could risk interference with existing satellite, broadcasting, and fixed communication services operating in the band. The debate reflects growing tension between expanding digital connectivity and safeguarding critical legacy infrastructure. 'The industry has asked for increasing the power limits. The only concern is the interference with the incumbents in the band. The band is used for satellite-based applications, teleports, cable TV and broadcasting services, which supports the lives of many people," a government official said. Continuation of the current low power levels for licence-free use of 6GHz band (in the range 5925-6425 MHz) have therefore been recommended to avoid any possible interference, the official added. "Industry comments on the feasibility of increasing power limits are currently under review," a second government official said. 'The immediate priority is to finalize the rules and open up the band for use. The need for higher power levels can be considered later, based on further studies." Draft rules On 16 May, the department of telecommunications (DoT) released the draft rules for industry consultation, paving the way for licence-free use of a portion of the key 6GHz (5925-6425 MHz) spectrum. The band is crucial for providing high-speed WiFi and supporting the next-generation gadgets such as Sony PlayStation, and augmented and virtual reality devices like Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. The stakeholders were given 30 days to respond to the draft rules. Communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Tuesday the rules for licence-free use of the 6GHz band will be out before 15 August. In the draft rules, the government proposed the use of low power and very low power wireless access system in the band. The power emission levels have been kept at 5 dBm per MHz for indoor WiFi devices, with a maximum total power of the antenna at 30 dBm. For outdoor devices, the DoT has called for using very low power emission levels at -5 dBm, with a maximum power emission level at 14 dBm. Decibel-milliwatts, or dBm is used to measure power levels, especially in wireless communication like WiFi, Bluetooth, and mobile signals. In wireless systems, higher dBm means stronger signals. Also read | Next-gen gadgets, WiFi speeds to get boost as India to open up new spectrum Currently, the frequency band 6425-6435 MHz, 6450-6485 MHz, 6600-6640 MHz, 6664-6725 MHz, and 7010-7025 MHz bands are being used by satellite earth stations for uplink operations at certain locations. The government has asked the Indian Space Research Organisation to refrain from launching new satellites in the 6425-7025 MHz range. Similarly, telecom operators, which have been given the upper portion of the 6GHz band (6425-7125 MHz), will be required to implement protective measures to minimize interference, the second official added. 'What we have asked for is a minimal increase in the power limit and that does not disrupt existing services," said Paramjit Singh Puri, director membership at Wi-Fi Alliance. The Alliance represents over 900 companies from across the globe including 50 of the world's largest telecom operators. It counts companies such as Apple, Sony, Meta, Samsung, Qualcomm, Intel, Dell, as its members. Seeking higher power limits Wi-Fi Alliance has asked DoT to consider revising power limits for very low power outdoor devices to a maximum of 1 dBm/MHz and a total power of 14 dBm. For low-power indoor devices, the alliance has asked for a maximum of 11 dBm/MHz with a total power of 30 dBm. 'A study was earlier conducted by the telecom department and the finding came out that WiFi and satellite services do not interfere," Puri said, adding that increasing the power limits is key to advanced use-cases like virtual or augmented reality (VR/AR), medical applications, location and tracking, safety and productivity and artificial intelligence. For example, AR/VR use cases will include training for life-saving medical procedures, assist visually impaired Indians, and new therapies for patients suffering from memory disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction. Also read | Next-gen telecom tech to get ₹1,000-crore yearly R&D boost under telecom policy 'The higher data rates enabled by higher power limits for VLP (very low power) devices will also facilitate uses like high-definition video that will have target data rates exceeding 2 Gbps, wireless gaming with bi-directional," he said. Companies such as Sony and Meta, through their associations continuously urged the government to open the 6GHz band for licence free use, through various representations. Meta launched its Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses in India starting ₹29,900. These will be able to perform better once the proposed portion of the 6GHz band is delicenced, analysts said. Similarly, Sony has not launched its PlayStation 5 Pro in India in the absence of the 6GHz band. 'PS5 Pro will not be available in some countries (which currently includes India) where the 6 GHz wireless band used in IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) has not yet been allowed," the company had said in a statement. Better for Wi-Fi 7 Tech companies said higher power levels are also necessary to support Wi-Fi 7 enhanced data throughput capabilities to reach beyond one or two rooms without the need for signal extenders or additional equipment. Wi-Fi 7 is the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology. It's designed to be much faster, more efficient, and lower-latency than previous versions like Wi-Fi 6 or 6E. Satya N. Gupta, former principal advisor at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said, 'Power reduction is not a solution as this could kill the potential of the devices and use-cases that will come up in the licence-free portion of the 6GHz band." According to Gupta, there is a technology, called automatic frequency coordination (AFC), which can mitigate interference. AFC is used in wireless communication to automatically manage and control which frequencies a device can use, especially in shared or sensitive frequency bands. It makes sure that powerful outdoor WiFi devices don't interfere with other important users of the same radio frequencies—such as weather radars, satellite systems, or military equipment. Also read | Spam call battle: Telcos win round against regulator Another industry association, the ITU-APT Foundation of India (IAFI) too has asked for an increase in power limit for the devices by over 6dB. 'This will be important for more robust performance both for indoor operation as well as for wearable devices," Bharat B. Bhatia, president of IAFI told the DoT. IAFI, however, does not want the government to delay the issuance of final notification owing to such proposals. 'While the proposed PSD (Power Spectral density) levels are consistent with FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulations, increasing the same by +6dB will align the regulations with most countries and not just FCC," Bhatia said. The industry body represents companies such as Hughes, Eutelsat OneWeb, Amazon, Dhruva Space and Airtel. Among the delicensers Globally, more than 84 countries, including the US, have delicensed at least 500 MHz of the 6GHz band for WiFi and innovation. The draft rules issued by the government assume significance as telecom operators, and technology companies such as Google, and Meta, were at loggerheads over the 6GHz band. Technology companies wanted the band to be delicensed and provided free to use to improve WiFi services, while telecom operators wanted the band for 6G services. The government also recently approved the 600MHz out of the 1200MHz spectrum available in the 6GHz band for telecom operators through auction. For operators, the upper portion, approved for auction, is in the range of 6425-7125 MHz. The band is essential for the upcoming 6G services. Among the telecom operators, interestingly, Reliance Jio, however, is also supporting the licence-free use of the band. The stance does not align with the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents the major private telecom operators. Also read | Your building's digital infra will be rated. But who will pay? 'Operators will benefit more from the licence-free use of the 6GHz band. This is because they can use Frugal 5G, especially in the rural areas. The companies can offload the mobile traffic on the WiFi and can also save on spectrum usage by not using the 5G spectrum in rural areas and instead use WiFi," Gupta added. Frugal 5G refers to providing affordable, high-speed internet access, particularly in rural and underserved areas, by optimizing 5G technology for lower costs and simpler deployment. Queries sent to the Cellular Operators Association of India, Reliance Jio and DoT did not elicit any response till press time.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meta Oakley smart glasses revealed with an assist from Steph Curry
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. On Friday, Meta announced the upcoming launch of its newest smart glasses, part of a collaboration with Oakley. The Oakley Meta HSTN will be available for preorder starting July 11 and they'll retail for $499. A press release states, "Our first product for athletes and fans alike, Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced HOW-stuhn), based on the HSTN style of Oakley glasses, combines bold aesthetics with cutting-edge tech." Meta calls the new wearable AI Performance Glasses, and they have some key differences from the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses that are already available. Some of the key upgrades with the Meta Oakley glasses include: A longer battery life: Eight hours (or 19 hours on standby). An improved camera: The smart glasses offer Ultra HD 3K video. Onboard AI assistant: Users can 'get answers to a range of questions.' Credit: Meta Like the Meta Ray-Bans, the new glasses will have an IPX4 water resistance rating and come with a charging case. Users can use the Bluetooth smart glasses to listen to music, take pictures, and record video. We knew these glasses were coming, and Meta finally unveiled its collaboration with Oakley in a splashy video campaign on Friday. The video featured athletes such as Stephen Curry and Kylian Mbappé, as well as several surfers and skateboarders. In the promo video, Curry says, 'This is gonna change everything.' Credit: Meta / YouTube Credit: Meta / YouTube OK, Curry. That's a bold, hyperbolic claim, but in line with comments made by Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, who is a big believer in smart glasses — the founder has even predicted this technology will one day replace mobile phones. Zuckerberg has been the biggest booster of Meta's smart glasses, and he often wears the glasses during panels and events. Like other leading tech companies, Meta is investing heavily in its smart glasses tech. Samsung and Google are both working on their own smart glasses technology, both separately and together. Apple is also rumored to be exploring smart glasses. Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Oakley Meta HSTN AI Performance Glasses $499 at Meta Preorders start July 11 Learn More
Stuff.tv
20-06-2025
- Stuff.tv
Meta and Oakley's next-gen smart glasses are a GoPro for your face
As someone who has a set of the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, I'm pretty happy with them. But my biggest complaint has got to be around the camera, which can only shoot in 1080p. Meta and Oakley have just unveiled their latest bit of smart eyewear, and it solves that problem. In fact, these smart glasses are more like a GoPro for your face. The Oakley Meta HSTN are a new line of Performance AI glasses that attempt to fuse Oakley's sporty design with Meta's growing obsession with putting AI into absolutely everything. And the result actually looks quite compelling – I think they're a big upgrade over the Ray-Ban models in a few key ways. So what's the deal? Like other smart glasses, when you're busy doing something, instead of fumbling for a phone or strapping a camera to your chest, you simply say, 'Hey Meta, take a video.' But this time around your exploits are captured in crisp 3K. Not quite 4K, but definitely a big step up from the 1080p resolution of the Meta Ray-Ban glasses. While the Meta Ray-Bans are more for everyday wear, Oakley's version is design for those who are active. Or at least those of us who like to look the part while having a pint post-'workout.' And unlike the Ray-Bans, Oakley Meta HSTN actually looks like it could survive being put through some rough and tumble. Battery life promises to be decent too. You'll get up to 8 hours per charge, and the case adds an excellent 48 hours on the go. Meta reckons it even gives you 50% of juice in 20 minutes, which is faster than most people can lace up their trainers. The open-ear speakers mean your music stays pumped without cutting you off from traffic. There's also Meta AI integration, of course – because it wouldn't be a Meta product if you couldn't talk to it. I actually think Meta's AI is one of the best parts about the current Ray-Ban models. With the Oakley specs, you could ask about the wind on the golf course, check surf conditions, or just have a chat. The Limited Edition Oakley Meta HSTN are available to pre-order from 11 July at $499. The rest of the line-up starts at $399 and will be available later this summer across the US, UK, and a host of other countries.
Indian Express
18-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Meta to launch Oakley-branded smart glasses this week
Meta will launch a new pair of smart AI glasses under the Oakley brand later this week, as the company rushes to expand the reach of high-tech, lightweight eyewear to even more users. The $1.75 trillion social media giant already sells successful Ray-Ban smart glasses in partnership with the European eyewear group EssilorLuxottica, the world's largest eyewear manufacturer and retailer. The Italian company owns brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley and holds licensing rights for fashion brands such as Prada and Chanel for their eyewear. The Californian label Oakley is known for sports-specific tech products and eyewear with retro-futuristic designs. The first pair of Oakley smart glasses that Meta plans to introduce on June 20 is likely aimed at athletes, a market the brand is known for. Traditionally, Oakley eyewear feature molded frames and are designed for outdoor use. Oakley was founded by motocross enthusiast Jim Jannard in 1975 and was sold to Luxottica for $2.1 billion in 2007. Meta found a hit with the second-generation Ray-Ban smart glasses it launched in 2023. That version comes with Meta AI assistant and This lets the view from the glasses' camera feed into what the AI assistant tells you during interactions. EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri said in February the companies have sold 2 million pairs of the Meta Ray-Ban glasses since 2023 Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has a long term vision to make smart glasses replacing smartphones as the main computing device. In September last year, Meta unveiled its augmented reality smart glasses prototype Orion. The glasses feature compact design, lightweight frame and built-in displays, which overlays 3D content onto the real world. The Oakley-branded smart glasses may cost $360, CNBC reported on Tuesday. Bloomberg reported in January that the Oakley glasses are set to launch later this year and that the camera will be positioned at the center of the frames, as opposed to the sides, as seen on the Ray-Ban glasses. CNBC also reports that Meta will be launching Prada-branded smart glasses aimed at high-fashion consumers; however, the launch date is still unknown.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Apple may launch AI powered smart glasses by the end of 2026
After experimenting with Mixed-Reality headsets, Apple now seems interested in making Meta Ray-Ban-like smart glasses. The Cupertino-based tech giant is reportedly 'ramping up work on the glasses' and may produce working prototypes by the end of the year. The news from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who, citing people with knowledge of the matter, said that Apple is planning to launch the Meta Ray-Ban competitor 'at the end of next year as part of a push into AI-enhanced gadgets.' Like Meta's much rumoured smart glasses codenamed Hypernova, Apple's glasses are said to pack a camera and have a bunch of microphones and speakers, allowing the gadget to analyse the world around us and process voice inputs using Siri. Moreover, it looks like the smart glasses could allow users to make phone calls, control music playback, offer turn-by-turn directions and translate a conversation in real time. Internally dubbed N50, the report states that Apple's smart glasses are now clubbed under the descriptor N401, which may be a broader project exploring similar products. But with Apple having a long history of cancelling products, the company may possibly end up scrapping the idea. Earlier this month, Gurman had claimed that Apple was internally working on a dedicated chip for smart glasses, with plans to start manufacturing as early as next year. The report also claims that Apple was actively working on making an Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra with cameras by 2027, but the project was shut down earlier this week. Also, as strange as it may sound, Gurman says that the tech giant is still working on AirPods with cameras. With the Apple Vision Pro seeing poor sales figures and smartphone upgrades becoming increasingly incremental, Apple appears to be shifting its focus to other product categories, particularly wearables. However, people working on Apple's smart glasses are worried that the company's struggle with AI may make the product less appealing compared to Meta's upcoming Ray-Bans and Samsung's Project Moohan, both of which will benefit from Meta's Llama and Google's Gemini AI models. Recently, Google announced that Gemini Live with vision will be free for all to use, but Apple is still relying on Google Lens and OpenAI's solution for its Visual Intelligence feature. As for Apple smart glasses, the majority of work is reportedly undertaken by the Vision Products Group, the same team that developed the Vision Pro. It looks like the team is also working on a much cheaper and lighter model, in addition to one that offers less lag and low latency by connecting to a Mac.
