Meta Unveils New AI-Powered Smart Glasses, Continuing Metaverse Push
Meta showed off new smart glasses on Wednesday as it continued to bank on a lifestyle shift toward blending reality and virtual space despite the efforts inflicting heavy financial losses.
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Zuckerberg Showcases Advanced AI Smart Glasses at Meta's Annual Developer Conference
Meta revealed its latest smart eyewear technology on Wednesday, reinforcing its commitment to merging physical and virtual realities despite significant financial challenges in this sector.
The company introduced Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses featuring integrated screens that project messages, images, and content similar to a smartphone experience. These glasses, described as Meta's most sophisticated AI eyewear to date, come with innovative neural band bracelets that enable control through subtle finger movements and retail for $799.
"We're aiming to create aesthetically pleasing glasses that provide personal superintelligence and presence through realistic holographic experiences," stated Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg while demonstrating the new AI glasses during the company's yearly developer conference.
"These combined concepts represent what we refer to as the metaverse."
Zuckerberg has anticipated that AI-enhanced smart glasses will emerge as the "next major computing platform," eventually superseding smartphones.
The technology giant began substantial investments in virtual reality and metaverse technologies approximately four years ago, with Zuckerberg rebranding the company from Facebook to Meta in late 2021 to reflect this strategic pivot.
However, Reality Labs – Meta's division focused on virtual and augmented reality – has consistently reported substantial losses.
This division recorded a $4.5 billion loss in 2024's second quarter against revenues of merely $370 million, underscoring the ongoing difficulties in the metaverse business sector.
"Smart glasses sales have no realistic potential to make Reality Labs profitable in the immediate term," observed Leo Gebbie, principal analyst at CCS Insight, while attending the Meta event.
"Rather, this represents a long-term strategy to break free from smartphone dependence, where Meta has been constrained by competitors Apple and Google, and to establish autonomy in wearable technology."
Smart glasses have appeared to be on the verge of mainstream adoption for over ten years, dating back to Google's Glass headset and camera launched in 2013 – though this product was eventually discontinued.
Meta has achieved greater success with its eyewear developed in collaboration with Ray-Ban, offering capabilities including integrated cameras, music playback, and voice interaction with the company's AI assistant.
- Smartphone Replacement Potential? -
The global smart glasses market was valued at approximately $2 billion last year and is forecasted to expand to $8.26 billion annually by decade's end, according to analytics firm Grand View Research.
"The next computing platform continues to materialize," Meta stated.
"AI glasses connect users to real-world enhanced capabilities throughout daily activities, accessing vast information while maintaining presence in the current moment."
Zuckerberg unveiled both new Ray-Ban Meta glasses and Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses.
These smart eyewear products build upon a partnership established in 2019 between Meta and EssilorLuxottica, the parent corporation of Ray-Ban and Oakley brands.
According to Meta, Ray-Ban Meta glasses have become the world's best-selling AI eyewear, with millions of units purchased since their initial release.
Features include integrated cameras for hands-free photography and video recording, virtual assistant capabilities, and real-time language translation functionality.
The new Ray-Ban smart glasses start at $379.
Oakley Meta Vanguard represents a category of "Performance AI glasses" specifically designed for athletic activities, priced at $499.
"We developed Oakley Meta Vanguard for high-intensity sports, featuring an action-ready camera, fitness app integrations, immersive audio to enhance workouts, and additional capabilities," Meta explained.