Meta has begun the rollout of software version 21 (v21) for its Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta HSTN smart eyewear, starting on December 16, 2025. This update introduces two key functionalities aimed at improving real-world interaction: 'Conversation Focus' for enhanced audio clarity and a multimodal AI integration with Spotify for context-aware music selection.
Ray-Ban Meta
The 'Conversation Focus' feature is designed to improve speech comprehension in noisy environments, such as busy restaurants or public transit areas. It utilizes the glasses' integrated open-ear speakers and spatial processing to selectively amplify the voice of the person the wearer is directly engaging with while actively filtering out disruptive background noise. Users can adjust this amplification level via a swipe gesture on the right temple piece or through the device settings menu. The initial deployment of this audio enhancement is geographically limited, commencing exclusively in the United States and Canada for users currently enrolled in Meta's Early Access Program, indicating a phased validation strategy.
Complementing the audio improvements is the introduction of a visual AI-driven integration with the Spotify platform, which Meta describes as the first multimodal AI music experience for its eyewear. This function allows users to issue a voice command, such as, "Hey Meta, play a song to match this view," which activates the system's computer vision capabilities. The system then analyzes the visual input—whether it is an album cover, a specific scene, or seasonal decorations—to query Spotify's recommendation engine and generate a tailored track or playlist matching the visual context and the user’s listening history. This Spotify integration is available in English across a broader international footprint, including markets such as Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
While the Spotify integration demonstrates Meta's advancing multimodal AI capabilities, the company has positioned it as an illustration of potential rather than a core utility for immediate mass adoption. Conversely, 'Conversation Focus' addresses a more immediate, practical limitation of smart glasses and audio wearables in daily scenarios, positioning it as a direct competitor to noise-reduction technologies found in other consumer audio devices. The v21 rollout is gradual, prioritizing Early Access Program members for both the Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta HSTN models, with wider availability anticipated in the coming weeks. This continuous stream of feature additions reinforces the platform's strategy of evolving existing hardware through software innovation.
