Meta has launched a new generation of smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence. The company wants them to become essential accessories worldwide.
New devices 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 a highlight. It pairs with the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and allows users to send messages using subtle hand gestures.
The launch comes as Meta faces ongoing scrutiny over the impact of its platforms. Activists warn particularly about risks to children. Zuckerberg called the technology 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 serve as a primary platform for integrating Meta AI into daily life. Analysts suggest the product has stronger potential than the costly Metaverse project. Virtual worlds have yet to attract mass users.
“Unlike VR headsets, glasses are practical and lightweight,” said Mike Proulx, Research Director at Forrester. He added: “Meta still needs to convince users that the benefits outweigh the cost.”
Pricing and market outlook
Meta has not released official sales figures. Industry estimates suggest 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 said.
Zuckerberg also introduced Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses for athletes, priced at $499. The second generation of Ray-Ban Meta glasses launched at $379.
Expanding AI investment
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 hiring top 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 called them “nonsense.”
