Today’s models are sleek, stylish and, in many cases, virtually indistinguishable from ordinary glasses. Even more impressive, they’re powered by artificial intelligence, making them more useful and intuitive than before.

Last week, Meta (the company formerly known as Facebook) released its first glasses from its collaboration with Oakley. The Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses feature a tiny, high-definition camera, open-ear speakers and integration with the Meta AI app. With these water-resistant glasses, you can snap photos, record video, listen to music, get answers to questions, initiate a call or send a message via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger without touching your phone.

So, what can today’s smart glasses do? The short answer: a lot more than you might think. For starters, they allow you to take hands-free photos and videos with a simple voice command or a tap on the frame. Picture yourself hiking in the Wasatch Mountains, snapping photos of the wild flowers with nothing but a few quiet words. For travelers, these glasses can be a game changer, especially when you want to document your journey or share experiences in real time.

But the camera is just the beginning. Thanks to built-in AI chatbots, smart glasses can now answer questions, identify objects or landmarks and provide real-time translations. If you’re traveling abroad and see a sign in another language, just ask your glasses to translate it. If you’re curious about a statue or building, your glasses can pull up information instantly. Some models offer navigation assistance, displaying directions or notifications in your field of view.

Of course, every new gadget comes with its own set of challenges, and smart glasses are no exception. They’re not cheap. With prices starting around $399 and climbing higher for premium models (the Oakley Meta HSTN will set you back $500), these glasses are a significant investment. And because they’re so lightweight and easy to wear, they’re also easy to misplace or damage.

Privacy is another concern. Because today’s smart glasses look so much like regular eyewear, people around you might not realize that you’re wearing a camera or microphone. This can raise eyebrows. Most manufacturers include tiny indicator lights that turn on when the camera is recording, but these can be hard to spot. As a result, there’s a growing conversation about etiquette. Experts recommend removing smart glasses in places where recording would be inappropriate or when people ask you to do so.

If you’re worried about style, you’ll be happy to know that many smart glasses are available with clear, tinted or even prescription lenses. This means you can wear them indoors or outdoors, for fashion or function, without sacrificing your vision. In fact, the ability to customize lenses is one reason these glasses are catching on with a wider audience.

So, why might you want a pair? For many, the appeal is all about convenience. Think about attending a family reunion and recording candid moments without anyone noticing a phone in your hand. For others, smart glasses offer accessibility features that can be life-changing, such as real-time translation or object identification for those with visual impairments.

Meta and Oakley aren’t the only players in the game. Ray-Ban has teamed up with Meta for its own line of stylish smart glasses, while companies including Google, Snap and Vuzix are developing models for both consumers and professionals. When shopping for smart glasses, consider factors like camera quality, battery life, comfort and compatibility with your devices. Water resistance and lens options are also important if you plan to use them outdoors or need prescription lenses.

If you’re curious about whether someone is wearing smart glasses, look for subtle clues. The frames may be slightly thicker to house the electronics, and you might spot a tiny camera lens near the hinge or bridge. Some models have touch-sensitive areas on the arms or a small light that turns on during recording. But in general, today’s smart glasses are designed to blend in, making them hard to spot unless you know what to look for.

In the end, smart glasses are no longer a sci-fi fantasy or a techie’s novelty. They could become a practical, everyday tool for communication, capturing memories and accessing information — all hands-free.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.