[DigitalToday reporter Jin-ho Lee (이진호)] South Korea's three major telecom carriers, including SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus, on Tuesday launched the second-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and began targeting the AI wearable market.

Ray-Ban Meta is a pair of smart glasses developed through a partnership between Meta and global eyewear company EssilorLuxottica. Users can access AI functions such as asking questions, searching for information and getting recommendations through voice commands. The glasses also support photo and video capture, calls and music listening.

All three carriers are selling the Wayfarer model for 690,000 won and 740,000 won, depending on lens and frame options. They are combining the device with partner benefits and also offering it through offline distribution channels.

SKT started selling Ray-Ban Meta at its official online store, T Direct Shop, and at six T World stores in Seoul and Gyeonggi. It provides discounts on installment payments for smart devices to subscribers of some plans. It is also considering developing glasses-optimised services linked to its in-house AI services, including A.Dot.

KT is selling Ray-Ban Meta on its directly operated online store, KT Direct Shop, and will expand sales outlets nationwide to its agencies from Aug. 3. It offers a 10 percent discount to KT membership customers. Subscribers to a dedicated plan can use the product from the 7,000 won range per month on an installment basis. It also runs experience zones at 11 stores nationwide, including in Gwanghwamun and Gangnam.

LG Uplus is operating its "Mania Device" benefits programme to reduce customers' initial purchase burden. Applying a 36-month installment plan and Mania Device benefits based on the plan allows customers to use it at a monthly 3,857 won, discounted by up to about 80 percent. LG Uplus plans to continue expanding products that link smart devices with telecom services.

Ray-Ban Meta is equipped with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, open-ear speakers and five microphones. It can record 3K video. It can be used for up to 8 hours on a single charge, and up to 48 hours when using the charging case.