AI-powered smart glasses have moved beyond premium devices for tech enthusiasts. They are now inexpensive enough to sit in carts with everyday items at major retailers. This shift is evident in Australia, where Kmart's Anko AI Camera Glasses sold out nationwide. At AU$89, these wearables cost far less than Meta's Ray-Ban models yet deliver comparable tools such as photo capture, HD video, AI features, music playback, and hands-free calls.

The devices capture more than expected

The Anko glasses use HeyCyan software found in many budget smart glasses on online stores. Some users note slower performance compared with Meta's system, but the main functions stay very close. Privacy advocates are watching closely because camera glasses have faced scrutiny since Meta popularized the category. An LED light is meant to signal recording, yet experts doubt its reliability in practice.

The real issue goes beyond public recording. The technology is now discreet enough that bystanders may not notice they are being filmed. Tom Sulston of Digital Rights Watch called such glasses a privacy nightmare and noted that laws lag behind the hardware. Reports of creators using similar devices to bother people in public have added worries about consent. Australia's privacy regulator is tracking the situation as more units reach consumers.

Meta's sales success has widened the market

Meta has moved over seven million Ray-Ban smart glasses worldwide, turning a once-niche item into a mainstream category. Marketing and updates have fueled growth, though the company faced pushback and added rules like blocking recording if the privacy light is covered. Some agencies and events have banned the glasses over security risks.

Kmart states its Anko glasses fit a common wearable category and expects buyers to follow local laws. It remains unclear if this stance will ease public worries. Ironically, some owners now feel uneasy wearing the devices outdoors, fearing judgment or confrontation over the built-in camera. As AI wearables drop in price and spread further, this friction may become routine.