Meta has launched a new generation of smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence. The company hopes they will become everyday essentials worldwide.
New devices unveiled at Meta Connect
At the Meta Connect developer conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg presented several products developed with Ray-Ban and Oakley. A neural wristband was among the highlights. It pairs with the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and allows users to send messages with subtle hand gestures.
The reveal comes as Meta faces ongoing criticism over the impact of its platforms. Campaigners warn particularly about risks to children. Zuckerberg called the technology a “huge scientific breakthrough” while addressing hundreds of attendees on the Silicon Valley campus.
Capabilities of the smart glasses
The Meta Ray-Ban Display features a high-resolution color screen in one lens. Users can make video calls and read messages directly. The glasses also include a 12-megapixel camera.
Zuckerberg expects the glasses to serve as a main entry point for Meta AI in daily life. Analysts suggest they have stronger potential than the costly Metaverse project. Virtual worlds have so far failed to attract broad audiences.
“Unlike VR headsets, glasses are practical and lightweight,” said Mike Proulx, Research Director at Forrester. He added: “Meta still needs to show consumers that the benefits justify the cost.”
Pricing and market expectations
Meta has not shared official sales numbers. Industry sources estimate around two million smart glasses sold since 2023. The new Display model launches this month at $799, around £586. That is significantly higher than Meta’s earlier models.
Leo Gebbie of CCS Insight doubts the Display will match previous success. “Ray-Bans succeeded because they are discreet, simple, and affordable,” he explained.
Zuckerberg also unveiled Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses for athletes at $499. The second generation of Ray-Ban Meta glasses was introduced at $379.
Expanding AI investments
Meta is spending billions on artificial intelligence. In July, Zuckerberg announced hundreds of billions of dollars for new US data centers. One planned site will be nearly the size of Manhattan.
The company is also hiring leading experts from rival firms. Its ambition is to develop “superintelligence,” AI capable of surpassing human thinking.
Protests call for stronger safeguards
On Wednesday, parents and activists protested outside Meta’s New York headquarters. They demanded stricter protections for children on the company’s platforms.
Last week, two former Meta safety researchers testified before the US Senate. They alleged Meta concealed potential risks to children from its virtual products. Jason Sattizahn and Cayce Savage said the company blocked research that could reveal harm.
Meta denied the accusations and called them “nonsense.”
