Examining Meta's Latest AI-Focused Single User Application in Detail
Taking a Fresh Look at the Meta AI App
The Meta AI app, now accessible on iOS, Android, and desktop, is powered by the open-source Llama 4 model, bringing generative AI tools to the masses.
This standalone app offers a range of features for users, including image generation, celebrity voices, and integration with Meta smart glasses.
One standout aspect is the Discovery tab, which serves as a hub for users to view, share, and engage with AI-created content from others within the Meta community.
Now, Meta's AI is stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight with its own standalone app. Being built on the open-source Llama AI models, this new offering promises to bring powerful AI tools to users beyond Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Meta took a major step forward in AI integration back in December 2023, embedding generative AI into its social media and communication platforms. But with OpenAI, Google, and Elon Musk's xAI already leading the pack, Meta's positioned for a serious challenge. ChatGPT alone claimed 600 million monthly active users across its iOS, Android, and Desktop applications.
But let's dive into what I found while testing the new Meta AI app:
First Impressions
For this review, I used the iOS version of the app. To get started, users need to sign in through a Facebook or Instagram account or with an email tied to other Meta accounts. Upon logging in, tutorials for AI usage, features, and project launches welcome newcomers.
The Discovery tab’s centerpiece is the showcase of AI-generated awesomeness from fellow users. It serves as more than just an art gallery—it doubles as a social media hub, allowing users to like, comment, and share AI-generated content across platforms.
While sharp sharing features are impressive, there's a catch: by default, AI shares images without asking for your consent. Users can turn off sharing to Facebook and Instagram in the settings, but it's enabled by default.
The app gleams with vibrant, high-definition images and short video clips, thanks to Meta's Emu image generator. Creating images of popular characters like Superman, Wonder Woman, and John Constantine was surprisingly easy. These fantastic creations can be shared along with prompts in the Discovery feed. The app also remembers previous prompts to make future conversations more seamless.
In the Settings section, users can find their history and manage their data, making it simple to delete prompts and keep their information private. Meta Smart Glasses’ owners can connect their app via the bottom-placed glasses icon, unlocking a world of exciting integrations. Though I haven't taken the plunge on Meta glasses yet, I'd be up for a test should Meta extend the offer!
Voice of the Future
While Meta AI appears similar to any other large language model at first glance, it's the creepy yet captivating voice AI feature that'll leave you scratching your head. Once enabled, the Ready to Talk setting keeps the app eavesdropping for your commands as soon as it opens. It can get a bit unsettling when it starts crawling on your every word, but who doesn't want Veronica Mars' Kristen Bell as their AI assistant, after all?
The app's voice controls let users switch between standard AI voices and a selection of celebrity voices, such as Judi Dench, Kristen Bell, John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, and Awkwafina. This experimental full-duplex mode enables a more natural, real-time conversation, albeit with its limitations—including outdated knowledge and limited access to certain features. There's a double-edged sword to having the Meta AI ready to listen: while it's incredibly convenient, forgetting the setting, and you might end up talking to the AI without even realizing it.
In conclusion, the standalone Meta AI app offers a more intuitive experience compared to its predecessors. Users can engage in casual conversations and enjoy generating images and videos with impressively little effort. Despite its appeal, the app may frustrate those who crave more flexibility and privacy. But don't hold your breath—plenty of updates and development are still to come from this promising tech!
Stay tuned for updates, as the journey of integrating AI into everyday life has only just begun!
References:[1] Meta AI app allows users to remix and share AI-generated content within Meta ecosystem. (2025). VentureBeat.[4] Meta launches standalone app “Scene” for its Meta AI assistant with integrated smart glasses. (2025). Engadget.[5] Meta unveils standalone app ‘Scene’ for its AI assistant, lets users share AI-generated content. (2025). TechCrunch.
Meta's foray into the standalone AI app market presents an opportunity to bring AI tools to users outside of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, capitalizing on the success of its Llama AI models.Despite being overshadowed by established players like OpenAI, Google, and xAI, Meta's AI app offers unique features like AI-generated content sharing, image generation, and celebrity voice options.As the Meta AI app evolves, customizable settings will become more important, such as the ability to control AI sharing features and voice settings for privacy concerns.In the future, AI integration with technology like Meta's smart glasses could open doors for even more innovative features, making AI a long-term staple in everyday life.
