Meta has unveiled a new line of smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence. The company hopes to make them essential accessories worldwide.
Meta Connect unveils innovations
At the Meta Connect developer conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced several new products created with Ray-Ban and Oakley. A neural wristband was among the highlights. It connects with the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and lets users send messages through small hand movements.
The reveal came while Meta continues to face scrutiny over its platforms. Campaigners warn of serious risks for younger users. Zuckerberg described the development as a “huge scientific breakthrough.” He addressed hundreds of attendees on the Silicon Valley campus.
Features of the new glasses
The Meta Ray-Ban Display offers a high-resolution color screen in one lens. Users can make video calls and view messages instantly. The model also includes a 12-megapixel camera.
Zuckerberg expects the glasses to become a central way of bringing Meta AI into daily life. Analysts believe the product has stronger potential than the multibillion-dollar Metaverse project. Virtual worlds have so far struggled to draw mass audiences.
“Unlike VR headsets, glasses are lightweight and practical,” said Mike Proulx, Research Director at Forrester. He added: “Meta must still persuade consumers that the benefits justify the cost.”
Prices and market expectations
Meta has not released official sales figures. Industry estimates suggest about two million smart glasses sold since 2023. The new Display model launches this month at $799, around £586. That price is much higher than Meta’s existing models.
Leo Gebbie of CCS Insight doubts the Display will perform as well as earlier versions. “Ray-Bans became popular because they are affordable, subtle, and easy to use,” he explained.
Zuckerberg also revealed Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses for athletes, priced at $499. In addition, the second generation of Ray-Ban Meta glasses launched at $379.
Heavy investment in AI
Meta is pouring billions into 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 specialists from rival firms. Its long-term ambition is to build “superintelligence,” AI that surpasses human capabilities.
Activists call for safeguards
On Wednesday, parents and activists gathered outside Meta’s New York headquarters. They demanded stronger protections for children on the company’s platforms.
The week before, two former Meta safety researchers testified in the US Senate. They said Meta hid potential risks for children linked to virtual products. Jason Sattizahn and Cayce Savage claimed the company blocked research that might show harm.
Meta rejected the accusations and dismissed them as “nonsense.”
