On Wednesday, Meta Platforms introduced its first consumer-oriented smart glasses featuring a built-in display, aiming to capitalize on the success of its Ray-Ban collection, which has become a notable achievement in the artificial intelligence landscape.
During the Meta Connect event, CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased the Meta Ray-Ban Display and a new wristband controller, earning applause despite some demonstration hiccups.
Meta has experienced early success with its smart glasses, and Zuckerberg characterized them as a groundbreaking tool for leveraging the AI potential of “superintelligence.”
“Glasses serve as an ideal medium for personal superintelligence, as they allow users to remain engaged with their surroundings while accessing various AI tools to enhance intelligence, communication, memory, sensory perception, and more,” Zuckerberg explained.
The new Display glasses feature a compact digital screen in the right lens designed for simple tasks, including notifications. Priced at $799, they will be available in stores starting September 30.
The package includes a wristband that interprets hand gestures to execute commands like replying to messages and calls.
The launch at Meta’s annual Connect conference for developers, hosted at its headquarters in Menlo Park, California, signifies the company’s effort to remain competitive in the high-stakes AI arena.
Despite Meta’s position as a leader in smart glasses development, it falls behind competitors such as OpenAI and Alphabet’s Google in the rollout of advanced AI technologies.
Zuckerberg has initiated a talent acquisition campaign in Silicon Valley to attract engineers from competing firms and has pledged to invest billions of dollars in advanced AI chips.
These innovative glasses arrive amid increasing scrutiny over how Meta manages child safety across its social media platforms.
In August, reports indicated that Meta’s chatbots engaged children in troubling discussions surrounding sensitive subjects, while whistleblowers claimed that researchers were instructed not to investigate the detrimental impacts of virtual reality on young users.
New Oakley-branded glasses launched by Meta for athletes
Meta also announced a new pair of Oakley-branded glasses called Vanguard, targeting athletes with a price tag of $499.
This device connects with fitness platforms such as Garmin and Strava to provide real-time training data and summaries after workouts, boasting a battery life of nine hours. Availability starts on October 21.
Additionally, improvements have been made to the previous Ray-Ban line, which now boasts nearly double the battery life and enhanced camera features, with a new price of $379, increased from the earlier version’s $299.
While analysts do not predict substantial sales for the Display glasses, they see it as a potential precursor to the anticipated launch of Meta’s “Orion” glasses in 2027. Meta revealed a prototype last year, with Zuckerberg referring to it as “a time machine to the future.”
According to Forrester analyst Mike Proulx, the release of the Display glasses is reminiscent of Apple’s debut of a watch as an alternative to smartphones.
“Glasses represent a daily, unobtrusive form factor,” he stated. Meta will still need to persuade consumers that the advantages justify the price, but “there’s significant room to capture market share.”
All devices incorporate existing functions like Meta’s AI assistant, integrated cameras, hands-free operation, and the ability to livestream to platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.
Some demonstrations of the new Display glasses did not proceed smoothly, with a call attempt failing to connect, prompting Zuckerberg to express, “I don’t know what to tell you guys. I keep messing this up.” The audience responded with supportive cheers.
“Considering the technology offered, it’s great value,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers.
However, he noted that improvements in software are essential.
“Until then, it may not be a device that appeals to the average consumer,” Ubrani added.