AI Glasses

Despite substantial losses in its Reality Labs division, Meta continues investing in VR/AR technologies for the metaverse. Q3 saw a $4.4B operating loss on $470M in sales. While VR headsets face headwinds, Meta anticipates growth in AI glasses revenue, driven by strong demand for its $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses. These glasses, integrating AI for real-time translation and hands-free control, boosted EssilorLuxottica sales. A strategic shift towards AI is suggested by Vishal Shah’s appointment, raising questions about balancing metaverse investment with AI’s potential across Meta’s platform and driving Reality Labs profitability.

Alibaba is launching Quark AI Glasses, its first venture into AI wearables, powered by its Qwen large language model and Quark AI assistant. Pre-orders begin October 24th at 4,699 yuan (discounted to 3,999 yuan), shipping in December. Alongside, Alibaba introduces “AI Chat Assistant” in its Quark app, featuring photo editing, problem solving, and AI-assisted writing. This move signifies Alibaba’s push into consumer-facing AI, positioning it against competitors like Meta and Xiaomi in the smart glasses and digital assistant market.

Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset, priced at $1,800, enters the mixed reality market, competing with Apple’s Vision Pro. Developed in partnership with Google and Qualcomm, the XR projects apps and digital content overlaid onto the real world via cameras and user gestures. A key feature is the integration of Google’s Gemini AI assistant, offering AI-driven functionalities. While visually similar to the Vision Pro, the device’s AI focus potentially distinguishes it. The XR faces market challenges like high prices and limited killer apps, and questions remain on privacy as well as whether AI glasses will truly replace smartphones.

At WAIC 2025, Alibaba’s Quark showcased its “AI Super App” and a range of AI features, including AI Writing, Image Generation, and a Deep Research tool capable of generating complex reports. The Quark AI Glasses, integrating the Tongyi Qianwen model, also drew significant attention. Notably, Quark’s AI Camera and “Chief Physician-Level AI Doctor” integrated into its AI search proved popular, highlighting Quark’s versatility in addressing diverse user needs from work to healthcare.

Goertek showcased its latest innovations in audio, video, and AI at its inaugural Innovation Conference. A key focus was acoustic solutions for AI glasses, addressing audio quality and user privacy. Goertek presented leak-proof audio technology reducing sound spill and a multi-microphone array with VPU sensor for enhanced noise reduction and speech recognition. Their edge-based audio algorithm libraries and rapid audio effect validation system further demonstrate their R&D capabilities in acoustic innovation. The conference aimed to foster internal collaboration and inspire employee creativity.

AI powered glasses are rapidly gaining traction, with Xiaomi selling 50,000 units in three days. This emerging category is driven by technological advancements, manufacturer initiatives, and consumer demand, projected for massive growth. Companies like DPVR are leveraging VR expertise to create practical, user-friendly AI glasses designed to integrate seamlessly into daily life, marking a significant shift in consumer electronics towards “seamless intelligence.”