Gadgets & Wearables: AI Hardware News and Explainers

Gadgets & Wearables: common questions

Are smart glasses worth it?

That depends on how much a buyer values hands-free photos, audio and voice assistance. Most current models take photos and video, play audio, handle calls and answer spoken questions through an AI assistant. As of October 6, 2026, Meta's store lists its own-brand AI glasses from $249 and Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) from $449. Meta says the Gen 3 lasts up to nine hours on a charge. The trade-offs are cost, battery limits and unresolved privacy concerns.

Are smart glasses safe?

The concerns regulators have raised so far are about privacy, for wearers and for people nearby. In 2021, Ireland's Data Protection Commission questioned whether a very small recording light gives bystanders effective notice. In March 2026, The Register reported that the UK Information Commissioner's Office planned to ask Meta about reports that contractors had reviewed footage from its glasses. Meta says its camera glasses blink a capture light and disable the camera if that light is covered.

What is an AI PC?

An AI PC is a computer built to run AI models on the machine itself. This is usually done by adding a neural processing unit (NPU) alongside the main processor and graphics chip. Companies define the term differently. Intel describes its AI PC chips as combining a CPU, a GPU and an NPU. Microsoft's Copilot+ PC label sets numeric minimums: an NPU capable of 40 trillion operations per second or more, 16 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage.

Can I run AI locally on my laptop?

Often yes, within limits. Microsoft's Foundry Local toolkit runs compressed models on a laptop's processor, graphics chip or NPU. It processes prompts on the device and works offline once a model has been downloaded. The desktop app LM Studio recommends at least 16 GB of memory. Microsoft says its catalog is limited to models that have been tested on consumer hardware and are small enough to distribute to end users.