Meta Smart Glasses & Wristband Controller - New Release

Meta Introduces Ray-Ban Display Smart Glasses

On Wednesday, Meta formally presented a new iteration of Ray-Ban smart glasses. These glasses incorporate a built-in display on the right lens, designed to show apps, notifications, and navigational guidance.

Control of the smart glasses is achieved through a wristband, the Meta Neural Band, which detects subtle hand gestures. This band was initially showcased last year at Meta Connect as part of the Orion demonstration.

Product Announcement and Availability

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, unveiled the Meta Ray-Ban Display during the company’s annual developer conference, Meta Connect 2025. He emphasized that, unlike the Orion project, this product is slated for immediate consumer availability.

Pre-orders will begin on September 30th, with a retail price of $799.

Meta's Strategy in the Smart Glasses Market

This launch represents Meta’s most recent endeavor to deliver consumer-grade smart glasses capable of handling tasks typically performed on smartphones.

For a considerable period, Meta has been reliant on competitor devices – specifically those from Google and Apple – to reach its user base. Despite substantial investments in virtual reality headsets, AI-driven smart glasses are now perceived as the most viable pathway for the company to engage users through its own hardware.

Building on Previous Success

The Meta Ray-Ban Display is intended to capitalize on the achievements of the original Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Millions of units have already been sold in partnership with EssilorLuxottica.

Similar to its predecessor, the new glasses feature an integrated AI assistant, alongside cameras, speakers, and microphones. Users can connect to the cloud for access to internet services and social media applications.

Enhanced Functionality with the Display

Meta asserts that the integrated display significantly expands the capabilities of the smart glasses.

Users can now view applications such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook directly within the glasses’ display. Furthermore, the display facilitates real-time translations and provides turn-by-turn directions.

The Meta Neural Band

The accompanying Neural Band resembles a Fitbit in form factor, but lacks a screen. It enables app navigation through minimal hand movements.

Zuckerberg stated that the Meta Neural Band offers 18 hours of battery life and is designed to be water resistant.

The device utilizes electromyography (EMG) technology to interpret signals transmitted from the brain to the hand during gesture execution. Meta believes this interface will redefine how users interact with their devices.

Development and Prior Reporting

A leaked video showcased Meta’s latest smart glasses earlier this week.

CNBC and Bloomberg had previously reported on the unveiling of these smart glasses, internally referred to as “Hypernova,” at this year’s Connect conference.

Comparison to Orion and Future Competition

It is important to note that the Meta Ray-Ban Displays possess fewer features than the Orion smart glasses demonstrated at Connect 2024. The Orion device included augmented reality lenses and eye-tracking capabilities, while the current model employs a simpler display.

The commercial availability of Orion is likely several years away.

Meta is aiming to establish a leading position in the smart glasses market by being among the first to offer a commercially available product. However, it is anticipated that Google and Apple will also introduce their own smart glasses in the coming years.

These competing devices will likely benefit from seamless integration with Google’s and Apple’s operating systems, potentially providing them with a competitive advantage.