Meta Allegedly Explored Adding Facial Recognition Features to Its Smart Glasses

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Meta has reportedly explored adding a facial recognition feature to its smart glasses that would allow wearers to identify people around them by scanning their faces. According to recent reports, this functionality would be opt-in for the glasses’ users, meaning they could choose to enable it. However, those being scanned would not have any way to opt out, raising privacy concerns. While the current Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses flash an LED light when the camera is active, it remains unclear if the glasses would alert others when facial recognition is being used.

The feature, internally dubbed “super sensing,” is said to build on the existing Live AI capabilities of the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses. Sources suggest Meta considered disabling the camera’s LED indicator during facial recognition scans, which would prevent people nearby from knowing when their faces are being scanned or identified. This raises questions about transparency and ethical use of such technology in everyday social situations.

Meta introduced the LED indicator to inform bystanders whenever the glasses’ camera was capturing photos or videos, aiming to maintain some level of privacy awareness. However, if the facial recognition feature bypasses this indicator, individuals around the wearer could be unknowingly identified. The ability to match faces to names instantly could have significant implications, both positive and negative, depending on how the technology is deployed and regulated.

Concerns about privacy are heightened by past incidents, such as a project developed by two Harvard students who created a system called I-XRAY. This system combined Meta’s smart glasses with large language models, facial recognition tools, and public databases to identify and locate their classmates without their consent. Such demonstrations highlight the potential risks associated with facial recognition on wearable devices, making Meta’s decisions on how to implement these features particularly critical.

Wear OS Smartwatches May Soon Gain AI-Powered Query Responses and Enhanced Gemini Features

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Google’s Gemini AI Set to Enhance Wear OS Smartwatches with Smarter Task Management

After confirming plans to extend its Gemini AI beyond smartphones, Google appears ready to bring these smart capabilities to Wear OS-powered smartwatches, including Samsung’s Galaxy Watch line. Recent leaks suggest that Samsung’s upcoming One UI 8 update will integrate Gemini Actions, enabling smartwatch users to get intelligent responses to queries, summarize emails, and perform various automated tasks right from their wrist. This expansion aims to boost the productivity and convenience of smartwatches by leveraging the same AI-driven automation features already found on smartphones.

The discovery comes from a detailed teardown of leaked One UI 8 APK files by Android Authority, in collaboration with AssembleDebug. Inside the Google Assistant app’s code, references to Gemini Actions hint at a range of new functionalities in development. These features include managing calendar events, summarizing emails, and answering general questions—functions that transform the smartwatch from a simple notification device into a more proactive assistant capable of handling everyday tasks on the go.

According to the code, users may also be able to interact with Gemini through customizable tiles, allowing quick access to specific AI-powered actions like rescheduling meetings or checking the weather. Additionally, there are indications that the smartwatch interface will provide easy controls to mute the AI’s voice feedback, giving users flexible options for interaction depending on their environment. This combination of voice and touch controls aims to make the AI assistant more intuitive and less intrusive during use.

While the leaked code strongly suggests these features will debut on Samsung Galaxy Watches with One UI 8, industry insiders speculate that the Gemini AI rollout could extend to other Wear OS smartwatches as well. Notably, Samsung might skip the intermediate One UI 7 update entirely and move directly to One UI 8 for its wearables, signaling a significant leap in software capabilities. This development reflects Google and Samsung’s commitment to making smartwatches smarter and more helpful through AI innovation.

Oppo Reno 14 Series and Pad SE Set for May 15 Launch with Teased Designs and Colours

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Oppo Reno 14 Series Set to Launch in China Alongside Pad SE and Enco Clip Earbuds

Oppo has officially announced that the much-anticipated Reno 14 series will debut in China next week. The company confirmed via Weibo that the launch event is scheduled for May 15, where it will unveil the new Reno 14 and Reno 14 Pro smartphones. Alongside these devices, Oppo plans to introduce the Oppo Pad SE tablet and the Enco Clip wireless stereo earbuds, expanding its portfolio across multiple categories. Pre-reservations for these new products have already opened on Oppo’s official online store in China, sparking significant interest.

The launch event will take place at 4:00 pm local time (1:30 pm IST), and while Oppo has emphasized the Reno 14 series, the expectation is that it will include both the standard and Pro variants, successors to last year’s Reno 13 lineup. These smartphones aim to build on their predecessors with refined design and enhanced features, targeting consumers looking for stylish and powerful mid-range options. The simultaneous unveiling of the Oppo Pad SE and Enco Clip earbuds highlights Oppo’s intent to strengthen its ecosystem of smart devices.

Official teasers posted on Weibo have revealed four distinct color options for the Reno 14 series: Mermaid Princess, Half Summer, Green Lily Purple, and Reef Black. The design images show a revamped rear camera setup featuring a dual vertical sensor arrangement with a third sensor placed separately above the LED flash in a capsule-shaped housing. The phones sport a flat display with a centered hole-punch front camera, aligning closely with recent leaks from trusted tipster Evan Blass. These design cues suggest a fresh yet familiar aesthetic for Oppo’s latest foldable.

The Oppo Enco Clip earbuds come with a unique open-ear design, promising up to 9.5 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. They will be available in Pearlescent Sea and Star Rock Gray colorways. Meanwhile, the Oppo Pad SE tablet is set to launch in two color options: Starlight Silver and Night Blue. Together, these new devices illustrate Oppo’s strategy to deliver a cohesive set of gadgets that combine style, performance, and innovation across mobile and wearable tech categories.