Meta Smart Glasses Get a Discreet New Shortcut for Calls and Texts A common complaint about Meta’s smart glasses has been the reliance on the voice command, Hey Meta. Using this phrase in public to activate the AI assistant can feel awkward and draw unwanted attention. While the assistant itself has become much more capable, the social friction of speaking to your glasses remains a barrier. Meta is now addressing this with a new software update designed to reduce the need for voice commands. A feature called quick connect allows users to create a one-touch shortcut for frequently used communication actions. This means you can now call or text a specific person without ever saying a word. The quick connect function works by letting you assign a designated contact to a long press on the touchpad located on the right arm of the glasses. Through the Meta AI app, you can choose not only the person but also your preferred method of contacting them. Options include popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger, as well as your phone’s native calling or texting app. This same press-and-hold action can also be used to instantly share photos and videos you have just captured with the glasses. The media will be sent directly to your chosen contact via the app you selected, streamlining the process of sharing moments on the go. This new feature shares some DNA with the dedicated action button found on the sportier Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses, though its scope is more focused on communication. The update is part of the wider 19.2 software rollout for the glasses. Looking ahead, there is potential for even more voice command flexibility. During a recent event, Meta previewed updates that would allow third-party app developers to set their own custom wake words for their services on the glasses. This could mean less reliance on the default Hey Meta phrase in specific contexts. However, it is unlikely that the core wake command will disappear entirely. For now, the quick connect feature is a practical and welcome step forward. It offers a more discreet and socially graceful way to perform one of the most common tasks on the glasses, making the device feel a little more integrated into everyday life.
