Faced with the revolt, Meta pauses its paid subscription project for the functionality Conversation Focus (or voice focus) of its connected glasses. It allows you to amplify the voice of an interlocutor in a noisy environment.
Why did this project spark controversy?
The inconsistency of the economic model proposed by Meta is at the heart of the controversy. The group planned to limit free use of Conversation Focus to three hours per month. Beyond that, a subscription Meta One Premium of $19.99 per month would have been necessary to benefit from 15 hours per month.
The problem is that this feature works locally on the glasses. It relies on integrated chips, open-ear speakers and beamforming technology in glasses that the customer has already paid for.
It is then difficult to justify a limitation and a paid subscription, even if the latter were to add other services, such as premium support. A rather cavalier attempt at monetization.
What is Meta’s response to the criticism?
” We heard the feedback. We are therefore pausing the subscription test for the moment “, a Meta spokesperson told The Verge. The Conversation Focus feature will remain available for free through the early access program.
However, Meta don’t give up on the idea and emphasizes that its strategy makes it possible to sell equipment at reasonable prices. ” Some premium features will be accessible by subscription in the long term. “
By suspending its project, Meta seems above all to want to gain time to define which features will justify a paid subscription. Conversation Focus was probably a very bad example.
