Meta AI’s Latest Moves: Instagram Voice Translations, WhatsApp Bot Ban, Italy Probe, Oakley Glasses
Meta AI shows up in fresh app features, hardware, and some pushback. Instagram creators get new language tools, WhatsApp drops rival chatbots, Italy digs deeper on competition issues, and Oakley launches AI glasses in India.
Instagram Rolls Out Meta AI Voice Translations in Five Indian Languages
Instagram now uses Meta AI to translate Reels into Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi. It builds on support for English, Hindi, Spanish, and Portuguese. Creators turn it on to keep their voice tone while reaching more viewers worldwide. A lip-sync option matches mouth movements to the new audio. Instagram also added Devanagari and Bengali-Assamese fonts for text in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, and Assamese on Edits. They announced this at the House of Instagram event in Mumbai, The Hindu reports, Gadgets 360 and Business Standard.
WhatsApp Ends Support for ChatGPT and Copilot, Sticks with Meta AI
WhatsApp’s Business API terms will change on January 15, 2026, to block AI companies from running their own chatbots like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. Both plan to pull out by then, leaving Meta AI as the only chatbot option inside WhatsApp. The rules target chatbots sold as products, not customer service ones. Meta says the API helps businesses with support and updates. Reddit users already complain that Meta AI is useless and impossible to remove. Inkl has the details.
Italy Expands Probe into Meta’s WhatsApp AI
Italy’s AGCM competition authority widened its look into Meta’s AI features in WhatsApp. The focus is whether they block rival AI assistants. Telecompaper covers it.
Oakley Meta HSTN Glasses Hit India with Built-in Meta AI
Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses launch in India on December 1. Aimed at athletes, they pack a camera for 3K video, open-ear speakers, IPX4 water resistance, 8 hours battery (19 on standby), and a case for 48 more hours. Say “Hey Meta” for real-time info like surf conditions or golf wind. Full Hindi support comes via the Meta AI app, powered by Sarvam. English users get Deepika Padukone’s AI voice. UPI-Lite QR payments test comes soon. Just look and say “Hey Meta, scan and pay” linked to your WhatsApp bank. Pre-sale starts on Sunglass Hut today, full sale there and other retailers from INR 41,800. Six Rx-ready options:
- Warm Grey with PRIZM Ruby Lenses
- Black with PRIZM Polar Black Lenses
- Brown Smoke with PRIZM Polar Deep-Water Lenses
- Black with Transitions Amethyst Lenses
- Clear with Transitions Grey Lenses
- Black with Clear Lenses
