Meta has launched a new generation of smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence. The company aims to make them essential daily accessories worldwide.
Meta Connect introduces next-generation devices
At the Meta Connect developer conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased several products developed with Ray-Ban and Oakley. A neural wristband stood out as a key feature. It pairs with the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and lets users send messages using subtle hand gestures.
The announcement comes as Meta faces ongoing scrutiny over the effects of its platforms. Activists warn especially about risks to children. Zuckerberg described the launch as a “huge scientific breakthrough” while addressing hundreds of attendees at the Silicon Valley campus.
Features of the smart glasses
The Meta Ray-Ban Display includes a high-resolution color screen in one lens. Users can make video calls and read messages directly. The device also features a 12-megapixel camera.
Zuckerberg expects the glasses to become a main platform for integrating Meta AI into daily life. Analysts suggest 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 prove to users 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 earlier successes. “Ray-Bans sold well 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 launched at $379.
Expanding AI investments
Meta is committing billions to 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 recruiting leading talent from rival firms. Its long-term goal is to develop “superintelligence,” AI capable of surpassing human abilities.
Activists 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 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.”
