Meta's Smart Glasses Enhance AI and Winter Sports Tracking in Latest Update

Meta has begun rolling out a new software update (v23) for its Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses, introducing substantial enhancements for both artificial intelligence interaction and winter sports integration. The update, detailed on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, aims to broaden the utility of the smart glasses for everyday use and specialized activities.

Ben Schoon of 9to5google.com reports that the v23 update brings improvements for snow sports, including integration with Garmin wearables, automatic capture capabilities, and real-time resort condition information. They note that integration with a Garmin device appears to be a requirement for most of these snow sports features. Schoon also highlights a warning from Meta regarding battery performance, advising that 'cold temperatures may temporarily reduce battery life,' with 'temperatures of 0°C (32°F) and above' recommended for optimal function.

The new snow sports commands, as detailed by Meta and relayed by Ben Schoon, enable users to ask their glasses about various metrics. These include questions like 'Hey Meta, how many runs have I skied today?' for ski run tracking, 'Hey Meta, how much vertical have I climbed?' for ascent tracking (particularly useful for backcountry skiing), and 'Hey Meta, what was my max speed on my last run?' for performance insights. Users can also inquire about resort-specific data such as lift status ('Hey Meta, how many lifts are open at Mammoth?'), trail conditions ('Hey Meta, is Brennan’s Trail groomed today?'), and weather forecasts ('Hey Meta, how much will it snow at Stevens Pass today?'). The smart glasses can even suggest trails based on difficulty, such as 'Hey Meta, give me some blue runs here.'

Beyond sports, Ben Schoon adds that Meta AI now supports 'more natural' conversations, allowing users to interrupt the AI. Schoon observes that this conversational experience 'sounds a lot like Gemini Live.' Live Translation features on the glasses are also expanding, with Hindi, Arabic, Russian, Swedish, and Finnish now available in early access. These new languages, according to 9to5google.com, do not require pre-downloaded language packs, simplifying the translation process.

Our take: This v23 update signifies Meta's continued commitment to evolving its smart glasses platform, moving beyond basic camera and audio functions to offer more sophisticated, contextual AI assistance. The deep integration with snow sports, particularly the Garmin connectivity, positions these glasses as a viable tool for outdoor enthusiasts, directly competing with dedicated sports trackers. The advancements in Meta AI's conversational abilities are crucial, as natural interaction is key to user adoption in a hands-free device. These iterative improvements demonstrate a clear strategy to embed AI more deeply into daily life, setting a high bar for competitors in the nascent smart glasses market.