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CNET
To Get Beyond ‘Pervert Glasses,’ Meta Should Remember the Lessons of VR
The article reflects on the growing aversion to smart glasses, paralleling historical skepticism towards VR experiences. It emphasizes that while smart glasses aim to enhance interaction between people and their environment, they currently lack a well-accepted framework for social use. Meta is criticized for not leveraging the established social norms that VR cultivated, raising concerns about public perception and acceptance of new wearable technologies.
ExperimentConfidence: MediumShort term horizonData governance risk: High
Published 31 Jul 2026, 15:15 UTC7 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Societal backlash against smart glasses mirrors past VR hesitations.
- Meta's approach to smart glasses lacks the experiential marketing seen with VR.
- Public unease regarding privacy and functionality of wearables persists.
- Proper testing and demonstration of smart glasses are inadequate.
- Social contracts regarding technology use must be better defined.
Interesting facts
- The term 'pervert glasses' indicates significant public distrust in smart glasses.
- Smart glasses have millions of users, yet they are still not widely accepted.
- The article draws connections between VR and AR technology societal integration.