Travel Without a Phone: What I Learned

I packed my Meta AI Ray Bans in my suitcase for my Thailand trip last week
Actually, that’s a lie.
👇

I didn’t pack them in my suitcase.

I wore them as I walked onto the plane.
I wore them when my bubbles arrived.
I wore them when cabin crew took my order.

And I captured all of that footage.

Which is Point 1: Privacy.
It’s a bit scary. On the pack of these glasses is some instruction text “Make sure you ask someone if you can film them” (and yes, I did tell cabin crew).
But how do you monitor this? At least when you’re holding a phone, people know they’re being filmed.

It takes a pretty astute person to look at the sunglasses, try to see if the blinking white light is on.

And scarily, a secondary industry has popped up, where you pay someone to disable the LED privacy protecting recording light.

Aside from privacy concerns which yes, admittedly, are a big consideration, what’s the upside?

Okay, so much.
Point 2: Hands-free-freedom

The fact you’re NOT waving a phone around is strangely freeing.
I’m surprised at how much I LOVE not having to get my phone out to take photos and record videos on my trip.

If you find you pick up your phone to take a photo, then get sidetracked by clicking apps, you’ll love that freedom, too.

You can use both hands - so for any type of sport, hiking, or movement, like driving, you can capture it, it pretty much works like a Go Pro.

The footage is incredible, too. I was amazed at the clarity.

But, can’t you film this with your phone, Leanne?
Yes.

But there is something so lovely about walking around, hands-free, shooting content. I think it gives an interesting perspective as well. You’re filming literally from your point of view.

I think because they are so discreet, you can take it out and not feel self-conscious when you walk around the breakfast buffet, filming all the food stations (Although, if you’re the type who gets self-conscious taking out a phone to record, you’ll probably also feel very self-conscious wearing shades indoors!).

Point 3: Other random features:
I had directions on my phone and as I was walking, it was like driving a car - I had navigation in my ear, telling me where to turn, so I didn’t look like a tourist.

I was talking to a client, Jax at a workshop recently who works with blind and visually impaired students. She mentioned how these glasses are incredible because you can enter a space/look at something and ask, “Hey Meta, what do I see here?” and it describes the scenario for you.

You can stream music directly from your glasses and make calls, all without having to pop anything else in your ears.

Do I recommend getting a pair? It really depends on what you want to do.

If you’re like me, and enjoy capturing footage on the go, I think you’ll LOVE these.

Just check to see what data you’re signing over to Meta AI, as that is also a major consideration!

Are you using these already/considering wearables shades?

Photo taken on a stopover run around Singapore.