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Meta Platforms has introduced its first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in display, aiming to build on the success of its Ray-Ban line, which was an early hit in the AI consumer market. During Meta’s Connect event, CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased the Meta Ray-Ban Display alongside a new wristband controller, earning applause despite some issues during the demo. Zuckerberg described these glasses as the ideal way for humans to tap into the potential of “superintelligence,” emphasizing their dual ability to keep users present while accessing powerful AI features that enhance communication, memory, senses, and more.
The glasses feature a small digital display in the right lens for basic notifications and are priced at $799, launching on September 30 in retail stores. The package includes a wristband that translates gestures into commands for replying to messages or making calls. This announcement marks Meta’s ongoing effort to catch up in the competitive AI landscape, although it still lags behind rivals like OpenAI and Google’s DeepMind in deploying advanced AI models. Zuckerberg has begun recruiting top engineers by promising to invest heavily in AI chips, indicating Meta’s serious commitment to this space.
Amidst these developments, Meta is also under scrutiny for its child safety practices on social media platforms. Reports have surfaced indicating that Meta chatbots engaged children in inappropriate conversations about sex and race, and whistleblowers claim researchers were instructed to conceal virtual reality’s harmful effects on minors.
In addition to the smart glasses, Meta unveiled a new Oakley-branded model called Vanguard, targeted at athletes, priced at $499. These glasses integrate with fitness platforms like Garmin and Strava, providing real-time training data and post-workout summaries, with a battery life of nine hours and a release date set for October 21.
Meta has also upgraded its existing Ray-Ban line, offering nearly double the battery life and improved camera capabilities at a higher price point of $379, compared to the previous $299.
While analysts believe the Display glasses might not achieve blockbuster sales, they see it as a step toward the anticipated 2027 launch of Meta’s “Orion” glasses. Last year, Meta introduced a prototype of Orion, which Zuckerberg described as a “time machine to the future.” Industry experts compare the initial launch of Meta’s Display glasses to Apple’s debut of the Apple Watch as a versatile accessory that can replace certain smartphone functions.
All devices include features like Meta’s AI assistant, cameras, hands-free controls, and livestreaming options for Facebook and Instagram, though Zuckerberg’s live demos didn’t always go smoothly. For example, a call attempted through the glasses malfunctioned, prompting Zuckerberg to admit, “I don’t know what to tell you guys, I keep messing this up,” which was met with audience support.
Market analysts note that while the current device lineup may not see widespread adoption immediately, it lays the groundwork for future innovations. IDC predicts that worldwide shipments of AR/VR headsets and display-less smart glasses will grow by nearly 40% in 2025, reaching 14.3 million units, driven in large part by demand for more affordable Ray-Ban models produced in partnership with EssilorLuxottica.
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