Meta’s Connect 2025 event asserted a mix of innovations and proclamations from Mark Zuckerberg and his team. From upgraded smart glasses to advanced prototypes, Meta made it clear that the company is deeply committed to integrating AI-driven wearables into everyday life. With the unveiling of the Ray-Ban Display glasses, Meta is merging the digital and physical worlds.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Meta’s latest Ray-Ban Display glasses are designed to replace the constant need to glance down at a smartphone. Priced at $799, they feature a tiny display inside the right lens. The display allows users to view and respond to text messages, watch videos, take calls, and even navigate maps — all without looking away from their surroundings. The display disappears when not in use, returning the glasses to standard eyewear.
Zuckerberg described the glasses as “the ideal form factor for personal superintelligence,” noting their role in keeping users connected without pulling them out of real-world interactions. Unlike earlier Ray-Ban smart glasses, this model works with the Meta Neural Band. A wristband that picks up subtle hand gestures for precise control. For instance, tapping your thumb and index finger can play music or answer calls.
Key Features and Upgrades
The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses build on Meta’s previous models in several important ways:
- Visual interaction: A built-in display lets users watch Instagram Reels, join video calls, and view notifications.
- AI-powered assistance: Meta’s AI assistant provides answers visually and audibly, making tasks faster and more intuitive.
- Navigation and translation: Real-time maps and live translation appear on the display, adding a layer of convenience for travellers and multitaskers.
- Privacy focus: Only the wearer can see the display, ensuring private interactions, messages, and data.
The glasses run for six hours on a single charge, with a case that provides an additional 30 hours of battery life. The Meta Neural Band lasts 18 hours and is water-resistant.
Expanding the Lineup
Meta also revealed two other updates:
- Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2: A $379 upgrade with better battery life, enhanced cameras capable of 3K video, and a new conversation focus feature to amplify voices during noisy conversations.
- Meta Oakley Vanguard: A $499 sports-focused model built for outdoor activities. It integrates with Garmin and Strava, tracks workouts, and automatically captures video clips during intense performance peaks.
The announcements enable Meta to compete directly against device leaders Google, Samsung, and Amazon. Each is developing its own smart wearable tech.
The Bigger Picture
Meta’s smart glasses represent more than just wearable tech — they’re a directive that Zuckerberg calls “personal superintelligence.” The concept involves creating a seamless experience where humans interact with AI naturally, without the barriers of traditional screens or devices. The concept of augmented reality glasses isn’t new; Google Glass attempted this in 2013. Advancements in processors, batteries, and miniaturised components make today’s versions far more practical and appealing.
Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, has already proven successful. Sales of Meta’s smart glasses tripled year-over-year, with production goals targeting 10 million units annually by 2026. If projections hold, Meta may be to wearables what Apple is to smartphones (by way of iPhone).
Growing Pains
The event wasn’t without hiccups. During live demos, the Meta AI assistant faltered when assisting a chef. In addition, Zuckerberg himself struggled to answer a video call onstage. Glitches, while embarrassing, indicate that promising technologies are still in iteration & improvement stages.
TF Summary: What’s Next
Meta’s Ray-Ban Display glasses present a vision where people no longer need to pull out phones to engage with technology. Combining AI, wearable innovation, and partnerships with established brands, sets Meta as a smart wearables leader. The road ahead requires both software and hardware refinements. But the foundation laid at Connect 2025 is solid.
MY FORECAST: Expect the next two years to see rapid smart glasses commercialisation to promote adoption. Especially as competitors rush to release rival products. The biggest breakthroughs come when the glasses integrate seamlessly with Meta’s metaverse and users’ lives.
— Text-to-Speech (TTS) provided by gspeech