Meta has paused a proposed subscription test for Conversation Focus on its smart glasses after criticism of charging for an accessibility feature that works on the device itself. The decision matters because it highlights concern over Meta introducing paid restrictions for capabilities on hardware customers have already bought.

Conversation Focus will remain free for Early Access testers while Meta considers a different approach, although the company has not ruled out future usage limits. Meta had proposed charging $20 per month while limiting subscribers to 15 hours of use, despite testing showing the feature continued to work without an internet connection; it says some future premium features will still require subscriptions to help support lower hardware prices.