Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses See Unprecedented Demand, International Rollout Delayed
Meta Platforms announced Tuesday that it is postponing the international expansion of its Ray-Ban smart glasses due to persistent inventory challenges and an overwhelming response in the U.S. market. The company cited “unprecedented” demand, leading to waitlists for the product that now extend well into 2026.
The decision means that planned launches in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Canada, originally slated for early this year, will be put on hold. Meta will instead focus its production and distribution efforts on fulfilling existing U.S. orders as it re-evaluates international availability.
This move underscores the significant consumer interest in Meta’s foray into augmented reality eyewear. The $799 Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, unveiled by CEO Mark Zuckerberg in September, represent Meta’s first consumer-ready artificial intelligence glasses. The device allows users to capture photos and videos, listen to music, take calls, and interact with AI assistants, all controlled through voice commands and a companion app. A key technological differentiator is its integration with a neural wristband, offering a novel input method.
The partnership between Meta and EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, has been a cornerstone of this venture. The two companies have been collaborating on smart eyewear technology since 2019, solidifying their long-term commitment with a renewed partnership deal in 2024. This collaboration appears to be a significant revenue driver for EssilorLuxottica, which reported in October that its third-quarter revenue growth was partly attributed to its Meta partnership.
Meta’s push into the smart glasses arena places it among a growing number of tech giants exploring the potential of wearable AI. Alphabet, for instance, announced a $150 million partnership with Warby Parker in May, signaling its commitment to the eyewear sector. Meanwhile, reports suggest that OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is actively developing its own AI-powered smart glasses, potentially in collaboration with Apple. This competitive landscape highlights the race to define the future of personal computing through increasingly sophisticated and integrated wearable technology. The success of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, despite the logistical hurdles, suggests a strong market appetite for devices that blend fashion with advanced AI capabilities.
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