Ranking the Best Smart Glasses: Meta, Viture, & More (2026)

wired.com Aug 7, 2026

Ranking the Best Smart Glasses: Meta, Viture, & More (2026)

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 7, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

WIRED’s latest guide ranks the top smart glasses, spotlighting the Ray‑Ban Meta Glasses (Gen 2) as the overall leader. The second‑generation models offer interchangeable frames, prescription lenses, a 12‑MP camera, open‑ear speakers, five microphones, 32 GB storage, and a 12‑hour battery life. Priced at $409 on Amazon and $379 at Best Buy, they combine functionality with a classic look, avoiding a built‑in display. The review notes that Meta and Ray‑Ban sold over 7 million pairs in 2025, sparking a broader AI glasses boom as Google, Samsung, and Apple prepare releases.

💡 Why It Matters

· The surge in smart‑glass sales signals a shift toward mainstream wearable tech, blending everyday style with hands‑free connectivity.
· This trend pressures major tech firms to accelerate their own AR offerings, reshaping consumer expectations for integrated, discreet digital experiences.

Read full article on wired.com

This iPhone Ultra teaser is almost as good as Apple launch videos

A YouTuber, John Ternus, released a 65‑second concept video titled “Introducing iPhone Ultra” that closely mimics Apple’s polished launch style. The clip showcases a foldable iPhone Ultra in realistic settings, highlighting its hinge, Touch ID, dual‑app multitasking, and a floating exploded view. While the device’s open‑screen use appears awkward and the front display is absent, the video’s color grading, lighting, and pacing echo Apple’s Vision Pro releases. The teaser is expected to precede Apple’s official September 9, 2026 launch.

💡 The video demonstrates how closely third‑party creators can replicate Apple’s production quality, potentially shaping consumer expectations before the official reveal.

appleinsider.com · Aug 27

Bringnox smart roller shades review: wide window coverage in your Apple Home

Bringnox smart roller shades, priced around $109 but costing up to $400 for custom setups, deliver 100% blackout performance and Matter over Thread connectivity. The shades mirror SmartWings in design and function, differing mainly by a physical remote and solar panel. Tested in single and double‑wide configurations, the motor handles large shades flawlessly. The solar panel powers the motor continuously, while the Matter protocol allows seamless integration with Apple Home, Google, and Amazon ecosystems. Both brands earned 5‑star reviews, with Bringnox offering a slightly lower price point.

💡 The inclusion of Matter over Thread positions Bringnox as a cost‑effective, cross‑platform solution for homeowners seeking reliable, automated window control without relying on Wi‑Fi.

notebookcheck.net · Aug 27

Xiaomi’s upcoming wide 18 Fold leaks in new images

Xiaomi is set to launch the Xiaomi 18 Fold in September 2026, and a new Weibo leak offers the first visual glimpse of the device. The engineering model appears in burgundy and features a wider body than previous models. Images show the rear camera layout, Xiaomi logo, and the foldable’s thickness when closed. Speculated hardware includes a 6,000‑mAh battery with wireless charging, a 200‑MP primary camera, and a 7.6‑inch display. The leak suggests Xiaomi is refining its foldable design to stay competitive in the high‑end market.

💡 The leak signals Xiaomi’s push to match or surpass rivals’ foldable advancements, potentially reshaping consumer expectations for form factor and performance.

therobotreport.com · Aug 27

IDS Imaging adds Nion ToF sensor to its portfolio of 3D cameras

IDS Imaging expanded its 3D sensor lineup with the Nion time‑of‑flight camera, featuring a 1.2‑megapixel global‑shutter sensor, integrated depth processing, and 30 fps output. The Nion delivers high‑resolution, temporally stable depth data even under rapid motion and variable lighting, with a measurement range of 0.3–7.5 m. Its IP67 housing, PoE support, and rugged design make it suitable for logistics, automation, and robotics. IDS claims the onsemi AF0130 sensor offers superior resolution, lower noise, and better motion stability than typical ToF cameras.

💡 The Nion’s ability to capture sharp depth data in dynamic, poorly lit environments addresses a critical gap in industrial automation, enabling more reliable robot navigation and object handling without costly sensor upgrades.

androidcentral.com · Aug 27

Google Pixel 11 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro: No reason to upgrade…

Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda leads Android Central’s mobile coverage, drawing on a lifelong passion for tinkering that began with Windows XP mods. After earning a computer‑science degree, he reviewed PC components at VR‑Zone before switching to Android following a switch from iPhone to Nexus 4. He joined Android Central in 2014, where he now oversees reporting on Chinese manufacturers, premium audio, networking gear and storage solutions, applying his engineering background to hands‑on testing. Over a decade of Android reporting, Jonnalagadda has evaluated virtually every flagship released worldwide, giving him a rare perspective on Google’s ecosystem. Outside work, he reads sci‑fi on an e‑reader and vents frustration at Arsenal’s recent title‑race collapse. He also mentors junior writers, fostering a data‑driven review culture.

💡 Jonnalagadda’s unique breadth of hands‑on experience equips readers with deeper, more reliable insights into Google’s flagship phones.

androidheadlines.com · Aug 27

Google is fixing a mistake it made with Pixel devices a few…

Google is reportedly developing a software update to restore notification capabilities for the Now Playing feature on Pixel smartphones. Previously, these notifications were eliminated when Google transitioned the functionality into a standalone application in early March. The original system allowed users to view identified songs directly in the notification shade without unlocking their devices. Current code analysis suggests Google is reintroducing this feature, which would display recognized tracks in the notification panel until manually dismissed. This change aims to improve user convenience by providing quick access to song history without opening the dedicated app. Additionally, developers are working on multi-user support, enabling separate listening histories for different profiles on a single device. While the notification feature is currently inactive and untestable, its inclusion in the app’s code confirms ongoing development efforts to refine the music recognition experience for Pixel owners.

💡 Restoring notifications resolves a specific usability regression that forced users to unlock their phones or open the app to identify background music. This adjustment directly addresses user feedback regarding the loss of quick-access functionality during the recent app migration.