“Wanna see something cool…” For a time, that was the phrase that defined me. Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Phone Apps, Smart Fitness Tech, I was always an early adopter, and I loved to show the new cool things to anyone who would listen. I loved to “shared the wealth” of how amazing consumer technology can be, and how it often makes life better.

But then things started to change. Technology became iterative (meaning: boring). Cameras got better. Screens got bigger. Phones went to wrists. Nothing was as mind-blowing as it was in my “wanna see something cool” days. And my day job landed me with all the new tech, but also an assignment to work with it in a business capacity. So, that took some of the wonder away as well, while still giving me a front row seat with new technology. Then along came AI, and I became known for something new. Skepticism. Pessimism. I became a naysayer who wanted nothing to do with it. I’m still a bit of that, if I’m being honest. But at the same time, I miss riding the bleeding edge of consumer technology. I miss the experimentation and the amazement when something does something NEW.

Enter the Meta Raybans. I was paying attention when the first gen “Raybans Stories” released years ago, and I had zero interest. They just didn’t do enough to justify the cost. The ecosystem needed development and battery life needed to be way better too. So I waited and watched. Then the second gen came out in 2023, and pushing AI to the front of the device (in a limited capacity) while improving the form factor, adding functionality, and make them attractive to consumers for, I would argue, the first time. Friends got them. I was intrigued, but deeply skeptical of the AI part, so I held off.

But that innovator spirit couldn’t be stopped, I guess. Because I just got my first pair of AI enabled smart glasses; the 2024 Limited Edition model. I’m ready to kick the tires. Try the features. See how it makes life better, or worse. And right here I will share those thoughts. Maybe feature by feature. Maybe just weekly summaries. I’m not sure yet. Just taking it one day at a time. One charged case at a time. But my first impressions are sparking that wonder, as I ask it “what am I looking at” and it tells me exactly what it sees. There are real “world improving” elements that might be a bit half baked now, but oh the potential is there. And I’m ready to become a card-carrying member of the guild of early adopters once again. Here we go!!