Meta has introduced a new generation of smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence. The company aims to make them essential accessories for daily life worldwide.
Meta Connect reveals latest devices
At the Meta Connect developer conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled several products created with Ray-Ban and Oakley. A neural wristband stood out as a key feature. It pairs with the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and allows users to send messages through subtle hand gestures.
The announcement comes as Meta faces ongoing scrutiny over the impact of its platforms. Activists emphasize risks to children. Zuckerberg described the launch as a “huge scientific breakthrough” while addressing hundreds of attendees at the Silicon Valley campus.
Capabilities of the smart glasses
The Meta Ray-Ban Display features a high-resolution color screen inside one lens. Users can make video calls and read messages directly. The device also includes a 12-megapixel camera.
Zuckerberg expects the glasses to serve as a central platform for integrating Meta AI into daily life. Analysts say the product could outperform the costly Metaverse project. Virtual worlds have yet to gain mass adoption.
“Unlike VR headsets, glasses are practical and lightweight,” said Mike Proulx, Research Director at Forrester. He added: “Meta still needs to convince consumers that the benefits outweigh the cost.”
Pricing and market outlook
Meta has not released official sales figures. Industry sources estimate around two million smart glasses sold since 2023. The new Display model launches this month at $799, about £586. That is significantly higher than previous models.
Leo Gebbie of CCS Insight doubts the Display will match past successes. “Ray-Bans sold well because they are discreet, simple, and affordable,” he said.
Zuckerberg also unveiled Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses for athletes at $499. The second generation of Ray-Ban Meta glasses launched at $379.
Expanding AI investments
Meta is investing billions in artificial intelligence. In July, Zuckerberg announced hundreds of billions of dollars for new US data centers. One site will cover nearly the size of Manhattan.
The company is also hiring top talent from rival firms. Its goal is to develop “superintelligence,” AI capable of surpassing human abilities.
Activists demand stronger safeguards
On Wednesday, parents and activists protested outside Meta’s New York headquarters. They called for stricter protections for children on the company’s platforms.
Last week, two former Meta safety researchers testified before the US Senate. They claimed Meta concealed potential risks to children from virtual products. Jason Sattizahn and Cayce Savage said the company blocked research that could reveal harm.
Meta denied the allegations and dismissed them as “nonsense.”
