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

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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.

EssilorLuxottica Shares Surge After Meta Acquires Nearly 3% Stake

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Shares of EssilorLuxottica (ESLX.PA), the Franco-Italian eyewear giant known for Ray-Ban, jumped 5.4% to 252 euros on Wednesday, becoming the top performer on the STOXX 600 index. The rise followed reports that Meta Platforms (META.O) acquired a nearly 3% stake in the company, valued at about 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion).

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, already partners with EssilorLuxottica on smart glasses production and is reportedly considering increasing its stake to around 5%. Neither company immediately commented on the transaction.

Analysts at Bernstein interpret Meta’s investment as a strong endorsement of EssilorLuxottica’s potential in the smart glasses market. The move builds on discussions between the two firms last year and signals deeper collaboration in wearable technology.

Earlier this year, Meta announced a partnership with Oakley, an EssilorLuxottica brand, to develop AI-powered smart glasses named “Oakley Meta HSTN.” These glasses feature a hands-free high-resolution camera, open-ear speakers, water resistance, and integrated Meta AI capabilities, marking an expansion beyond the successful Ray-Ban Meta glasses launched in 2023.

EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri has expressed ambitions to increase smart glasses production capacity and extend partnerships with Meta across more brands, highlighting the growing intersection of eyewear and artificial intelligence.

Apple May Launch a Smart Ring to Rival Samsung by 2026, Predicts Research Firm

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Apple could be on track to launch a connected smart ring by 2026, according to predictions by CCS Insight, marking a potential new addition to its health-focused product lineup. This would follow Apple’s most recent major launch, the Vision Pro headset, and would signify its deepening commitment to personal health technology.

Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, shared his thoughts on Apple’s potential next move during CNBC’s Beyond the Valley podcast. He believes that as CEO Tim Cook nears retirement, his legacy at Apple could be largely defined by the company’s contributions to health and wellness through innovative technology. Wood said that a smart ring would naturally complement Apple’s existing health devices, such as the Apple Watch, which already provides detailed health metrics.

“Health has become a fundamental pillar for Apple,” Wood stated, adding that Cook’s personal interest in health makes a ring device a logical next step for the company.

Smart rings, much like smartwatches, come equipped with sensors to track various health indicators, including heart rate. The market for these devices has seen growth in recent years, with brands like Oura pioneering the category. This year, Samsung introduced its own Galaxy Ring, retailing at $399, as part of its broader push into the health-tech space.

Apple’s strategy often mirrors that of Samsung in terms of building an interconnected ecosystem of devices. The introduction of a ring would further solidify Apple’s commitment to keeping users engaged in its ecosystem of products, which ranges from iPhones and smartwatches to AirPods and other health-focused devices. Apple has already emphasized health in its recent product launches, including updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 2, which have hearing aid features.

However, selling smart rings poses unique challenges due to the variety of finger sizes, as noted by Wood. Samsung addressed this by offering different sizes and colors, along with sample size kits before purchase. Apple’s robust retail presence, with its stylish and customer-centric stores, could help it overcome this hurdle and make the smart ring more accessible to consumers.

Wood also highlighted the importance of design in wearable tech, noting that Apple products still hold a certain prestige. He suggested that a sleek, well-designed Apple ring could even become a fashion statement or status symbol, much like other Apple devices.