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9to5google
Meta slaps a premium subscription on an existing smart glasses feature
Meta has announced a new subscription service called Meta One Premium, which will charge users $20/month. The subscription restricts access to the 'Conversation Focus' feature, previously free, limiting its use to 15 hours monthly, while basic access is capped at 3 hours. This change raises questions about accessibility since the feature operates on-device, suggesting that the costs should not warrant such limitations. Additionally, the company has been criticized for shipping facial recognition capabilities while denying any future implementation plans.
MonitorConfidence: HighShort term horizonReputational risk: High
Published 1 Jul 2026, 15:25 UTC2 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Meta introduces a $20/month subscription for its smart glasses.
- New plan imposes limits on the 'Conversation Focus' feature access.
- Feature initially available for free will now cost users for expanded use.
- Concern over accessibility as features become less available without a fee.
- Feature operates on-device, suggesting limitations may not be justified.
Interesting facts
- The 'Conversation Focus' feature uses onboard hardware for processing.
- Meta has been criticized for introducing unexpected fees for features.
- The subscription model reflects a broader trend in monetizing previously free technology.