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Meta unveils smart glasses with built-in display, pushing toward “superintelligence”

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Meta Platforms introduced its first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in digital display at its annual Connect event in Menlo Park, California. CEO Mark Zuckerberg pitched the new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses as the ideal gateway to the AI-powered “superintelligence” era, saying they can enhance communication, memory, and senses while allowing users to stay present in the real world.

The glasses feature a small digital screen in the right lens for notifications and basic tasks. Priced at $799, they will launch on September 30 and come with a wristband that translates hand gestures into commands such as answering calls or replying to texts. Despite some glitches during the demo, the product received applause from the developer audience.

Meta also launched Oakley Vanguard sports glasses for $499, designed for athletes with Garmin and Strava integration, nine hours of battery life, and real-time workout feedback. In addition, Meta refreshed its earlier Ray-Ban line with improved cameras and nearly double the battery life, now priced at $379.

Industry analysts remain cautious. While the Display glasses may not achieve strong immediate sales, they see the launch as an incremental step toward Meta’s more ambitious “Orion” glasses, targeted for 2027. Analysts compared the debut to Apple’s rollout of the smartwatch, suggesting glasses could evolve into an everyday alternative to the smartphone if Meta proves their value.

The unveiling comes amid Meta’s aggressive AI investments and recruitment push, but also at a time of heightened scrutiny over child safety on its platforms and past controversies around VR’s effects on younger users.

IDC forecasts AR/VR headsets and smart glasses shipments to rise nearly 40% in 2025, with Meta expected to drive growth—particularly through the more affordable Ray-Ban line co-developed with EssilorLuxottica.

Meta unveils smart glasses with built-in display, eyes AI “superintelligence”

/in /tarafından

Meta Platforms (META.O) launched its first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in display on Wednesday, expanding its Ray-Ban line as part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push toward artificial intelligence “superintelligence.”

Unveiled at Meta’s annual Connect event in Menlo Park, California, the new Ray-Ban Display glasses include a digital screen embedded in the right lens for tasks such as notifications. Priced at $799, they will be available starting September 30 and ship with a wristband that translates hand gestures into commands like responding to messages or answering calls.

“Glasses are the ideal form factor for personal superintelligence, because they let you stay present in the moment while getting access to all of these AI capabilities that make you smarter, help you communicate better, improve your memory, improve your senses, and more,” Zuckerberg said.

The launch highlights Meta’s bid to stay competitive in the AI race, even as it lags behind rivals like OpenAI and Google (GOOGL.O) in advanced model development. The company is investing tens of billions of dollars in AI chips and talent as it pursues its long-term vision of “Orion” glasses, slated for 2027.

Meta also introduced Oakley Vanguard glasses aimed at athletes, priced at $499, with features like real-time performance stats synced to Garmin and Strava, nine-hour battery life, and availability from October 21. Its existing Ray-Ban line also received an update, with improved cameras and nearly doubled battery life at $379.

Despite the splashy debut, analysts expect modest near-term sales for the Display glasses. IDC research manager Jitesh Ubrani said the tech offered “great value” but noted the software still needs to mature. Forrester’s Mike Proulx compared the launch to Apple’s early smartwatch push—functional but still needing to prove everyday utility.

The debut comes as Meta faces heightened scrutiny over safety issues on its platforms, with regulators and whistleblowers raising concerns about the impact of its technologies on children.

Zuckerberg, who fumbled a live demo call on stage, laughed off the glitch. “I don’t know what to tell you guys. I keep on messing this up,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.

IDC forecasts global shipments of AR/VR devices and smart glasses without displays to grow 39.2% in 2025 to 14.3 million units, with Meta expected to drive much of the increase through its more affordable Ray-Ban line.