Meta has launched a new line of smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence. The company wants them to become everyday essentials worldwide.
Highlights from Meta Connect
At the Meta Connect developer conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg presented several devices made with Ray-Ban and Oakley. A neural wristband was a standout feature. It pairs with the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and lets users send messages through subtle hand gestures.
The announcement comes as Meta faces scrutiny over its platforms. Activists emphasize risks to children. Zuckerberg called the launch 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 glasses also contain a 12-megapixel camera.
Zuckerberg expects the glasses to serve as a key platform for integrating Meta AI into daily life. Analysts predict the product could outperform 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 show consumers that the benefits justify the cost.”
Pricing and market outlook
Meta has not released official sales numbers. 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 subtle, simple, and affordable,” he said.
Zuckerberg also revealed Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses for athletes 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 planned 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 protections
On Wednesday, parents and activists protested outside Meta’s New York headquarters. They called for stricter safeguards 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.”
