Meta has unveiled its latest smart glasses, including the Meta Ray-Ban Display, as the company continues to invest in a future where reality and virtual space converge. The new glasses feature built-in screens, allowing users to view messages, photos, and other content similar to a smartphone. Priced at $799, the Meta Ray-Ban Display is billed as the company’s most advanced AI glasses, complete with sensor-packed bracelets called neural bands that enable control with subtle finger movements.
According to Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, the goal is to create “great-looking glasses that deliver personal superintelligence and a feeling of presence using realistic holograms.” This concept is part of what the company refers to as the metaverse. Zuckerberg has predicted that AI-infused smart glasses will eventually replace smartphones as the next major computing platform.
Meta began investing heavily in virtual reality and the metaverse about four years ago, changing its name from Facebook to Meta in 2021 to reflect this strategic shift. However, the company’s virtual and augmented reality unit, Reality Labs, has consistently posted significant losses, including a $4.5 billion loss in the second quarter of this year on revenue of $370 million.
Despite these challenges, Meta remains committed to its long-term vision. The global smart glasses market is projected to reach $8.26 billion annually by the end of the decade, according to analytics firm Grand View Research. Meta has seen success with its previous smart glasses releases, including frames developed alongside Ray-Ban, which offer features such as built-in cameras, music playback, and voice interactions with the company’s AI.
The new Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses build on this partnership, with features including hands-free photos and video, digital assistants, and real-time language translation. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses start at $379, while the Oakley Meta Vanguard, designed for athletic use, is priced at $499.
As Meta continues to expand its AI glasses line, the company is playing a long-term game to break free from its dependence on smartphones and establish itself in the wearables market. With its latest releases, Meta is taking steps towards realizing its vision of a future where smart glasses are an integral part of daily life, providing users with a wealth of information while staying present in the moment.
