Sunday Runday
In this weekly column, Android Central Wearables Editor Michael Hicks discusses the exciting realm of wearables, applications, and fitness technology tied to running and health, in his journey to become faster and fitter.
Last Sunday, I chose to sport my Ray-Ban Meta glasses during the San Jose Half Marathon. I confess that I’ve drifted away from wearing my smart glasses lately, relying instead on my Shokz OpenFit 2s for open-ear streaming. However, I figured that better sun protection and the ability to capture some photos mid-race would justify bringing them along.
In the end, I was glad I wore them, but it also highlighted why I usually reserve them for casual outings, not during runs or workouts. I’m curious to see if the 3rd-gen Meta glasses will perform better later this year, with or without the AR technology.
Snapping away
The day kicked off well. Even though my Wayfarer-style Ray-Ban Metas were heavier than my usual eyewear, they felt comfortable and helped conceal my eye bags for selfies after my 5 AM wake-up. In a race where everyone is busy snapping pictures or operating their GoPros, I felt less anxious about subtly capturing images with my glasses.
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From the start line onwards, I was able to reach up and capture photos with a button press while focusing ahead, eliminating the need to pull my phone from my pocket and set up the viewfinder. I rarely document my races when striving to maintain focus, yet I managed to snap 22 photos and a video by the finish.
San Jose isn’t the most picturesque course for great shots, but I wanted to evaluate how the glasses performed ahead of taking them to more scenic events like Big Sur or NYC.
During the race, I also streamed my Half Marathon playlist to keep motivated, while ensuring my ears were exposed to hear anyone trying to pass me and avoid mishaps. Given that most races “strongly advise against” or completely ban headphones, this was a significant advantage.
However, wearing the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses during the race had several downsides.
My three main issues with wearing smart glasses during a race
I typically avoid wearing my regular glasses while running since I can see well without them, making the purchase of a strap to prevent slipping not worthwhile. With my 50g Ray-Bans, it’s clear I need to invest in that thick, impractical lanyard before attempting another race with them.
They stayed put for around 400 meters; however, once sweat began to accumulate, they started to slide. If I pushed them up, I felt their weight bouncing and jiggling against my nose, only to have them slip down again.
I managed to keep them in place by tilting my head upward like a snooty nobleman in a BBC period drama, but this disrupted my rhythm. Even with a lanyard, I suspect they’d still bounce uncomfortably due to their weight.
My second concern is less critical: without a viewfinder, it’s easy to overlook the need to get close and personal with the Ray-Bans for a clear shot. I would spot something interesting and snap a photo, only to later squint and zoom in to identify my subject amidst the background.
In the above image, for instance, I noticed the leading runners finishing their return route and thought capturing them would be memorable. However, they turned out nearly unrecognizable and blurry due to my distance.
The resolution excels for glasses, and the ultrawide effect captures a feeling of being present in the moment rather than just framing a picture. Remarkably, my video of the final sprint—though I can’t embed it here—looked surprisingly smooth compared to the race’s chaos.
The takeaway is, I’m glad I wore them. I can recall my route without paying $50 for official race photos of me panting past camera operators. Next time, I’ll be sure to position myself right next to the subject for better photos.
However, the most significant drawback is battery life. I removed my Ray-Bans from the case about 15 minutes prior to the start and refrained from using them until then. Once I began streaming music and capturing 22 photos and one video throughout my 1 hour and 54 minutes race, along with an accidental Meta AI trigger, I checked my battery life as I cooled down: just 8% remaining.
Meta purports that its glasses can last around four hours with “moderate” usage under optimal conditions, which includes “100 videos or up to 500 photos per full charge.”
Smart glasses traditionally struggle with battery longevity in colder climates, but I wouldn’t classify mid-60ºF as cold. Streaming music likely contributed to the drain, so perhaps I’ll wear my Ray-Bans and earbuds in future races, utilizing the glasses only for photography. I also neglected to turn off the “Hey Meta” wake word, which can add to idle battery consumption.
Given that my glasses have almost two years of use, some degradation in capacity is expected. Since “replacing the battery inside your glasses” isn’t feasible—it’s soldered in— I’d need to spend $329 for a new pair to ensure better longevity.
Thus, if I use these for a marathon, I must accept that I’ll only be able to capture moments during the first segment of the race (unless my pace shifts from average to Olympian).
It’s frustrating when our phone or watch requires more frequent charging after a couple of years, but we recognize that reality. With emerging devices like smart glasses and smart rings, the limited capacity from small sizes makes deterioration feel more immediate and concerning. Unlike your phone, smart glasses and rings can’t easily have their batteries replaced without damage.
Heavy users may continue to invest $300 every few years for new eyewear, but others among the 2 million Meta glasses owners might hesitate to purchase the next model if the battery longevity is similarly short, especially when Meta AI is emphasized as a key selling point and is one of the largest sources of power drain.
Having recently tested AR glasses while running, I’m intrigued by the anticipated Meta “Hypernova” glasses with a holographic display. This could enable me to view live stats such as heart rate and pace without glancing down at my watch. However, I wouldn’t categorize this feature as “essential” for race day.
Ultimately, I require the next generation of Ray-Bans to either solve or alleviate the battery issue before I can regularly use them in races.
Ideally, they should feature a repairable design that allows for battery replacements. If not, Meta could implement a denser solid-state battery that offers long-lasting performance right out of the box, ensuring it remains decent even after a couple of years of use.
If it started with eight hours of use under moderate conditions, I could tolerate my Ray-Bans degrading to four hours after a few years.
Additionally, it would be beneficial if Meta could replicate Android and iOS by providing a battery usage graph indicating which functions—music, photos, or AI queries—consume the most power, allowing users to manage their usage wisely. A battery saver mode that disables unnecessary functions could also be a great addition.