Meta has introduced new smart glasses enhanced with artificial intelligence. The company aims to make them everyday essentials worldwide.
Meta Connect product launch
At the Meta Connect developer conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased several new devices developed with Ray-Ban and Oakley. One of the highlights was a neural wristband. It links with the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and enables users to send messages through subtle hand gestures.
The launch came as Meta faces continuing criticism over the effects of its platforms. Campaigners warn particularly about risks for children. Zuckerberg called the development a “huge scientific breakthrough.” He addressed hundreds of guests gathered at the Silicon Valley campus.
Functions of the smart glasses
The Meta Ray-Ban Display features a high-resolution color screen inside one lens. Users can hold video calls and see incoming messages. The device also includes a 12-megapixel camera.
Zuckerberg believes the smart glasses will become a main channel for integrating Meta AI into daily life. Analysts say the product stands a better chance than the expensive Metaverse project. Virtual worlds have yet to secure mass adoption.
“Unlike VR headsets, glasses are practical and comfortable to wear,” said Mike Proulx, Research Director at Forrester. He added: “Meta still has to convince buyers that the benefits outweigh the cost.”
Prices and sales outlook
Meta has not released official sales figures. Industry estimates suggest around two million pairs of smart glasses sold since 2023. The new Display model will launch this month for $799, about £586. That is significantly more than the price of Meta’s current glasses.
Leo Gebbie of CCS Insight doubts the Display will reach the same success as earlier models. “Ray-Bans succeeded because they are discreet, easy to use, and affordable,” he explained.
Zuckerberg also announced Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses for sports fans at $499. He unveiled the second generation of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, priced at $379.
Expanding AI investments
Meta is spending vast sums on artificial intelligence. In July, Zuckerberg confirmed hundreds of billions of dollars would go into new US data centers. One facility will cover an area nearly as large as Manhattan.
The company is also recruiting top talent from rival firms. Its ambition is to develop “superintelligence,” an AI system that surpasses human abilities.
Protests and criticism
On Wednesday, parents and activists protested outside Meta’s New York headquarters. They demanded stronger protections for children on the company’s platforms.
Last week, two former Meta safety researchers testified before the US Senate. They alleged Meta concealed potential risks for children from its virtual products. Jason Sattizahn and Cayce Savage said the company blocked internal studies that might reveal harm.
Meta denied the claims and called them “nonsense.”
