Smart Glasses

Meta’s new $799 Ray-Ban Display glasses feature a built-in display and a neural interface wristband for intuitive control. Launching Sept. 30, the glasses offer practical AR functionality like message viewing and live captions, prioritizing utility over immersive entertainment. A small display in the right lens, coupled with hand gestures enabled by the EMG wristband, allows users to control the glasses, activating apps and adjusting volume. While the display clarity has compromise, the wristband and voice command function show potential for expanded AR applications.

Meta is expanding its wearable tech vision with the Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, priced at $799. Featuring in-lens displays controlled by hand gestures, these glasses allow for video recording and message sending. This visual upgrade to the previous audio-only model aims for more natural computer interaction. Early Meta Ray-Ban glasses have seen sales success, with EssilorLuxottica reporting increased revenues. However, Meta faces competition, as Google partners with Warby Parker on AI glasses, Snap plans new AR glasses, and Apple explores its own entry into the smart glasses market.

At Meta Connect, Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses ($799), consumer-ready smart glasses with integrated displays controlled by hand gestures via a neural wristband. This marks Meta’s expansion into augmented reality, bridging the gap between audio-only glasses and experimental AR glasses. Alongside, Meta also unveiled the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses ($499) for athletes, and the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) with improved battery and camera. The event also announced Horizon TV for streaming content on Meta Quest VR headsets.

Meta is set to unveil its advanced “Hypernova” smart glasses at its annual Connect event. Priced around $800, these glasses mark a step toward integrating displays into wearables, following previous collaborations with EssilorLuxottica. Analysts emphasize the need for Meta to demonstrate the return on investment for its Reality Labs, which has incurred substantial losses. While VR headsets face uncertain market traction, smart glasses are seen as a more promising avenue, with potential for AI integration. The success is crucial as Apple and Google also develop competing products.

Apple’s Vision Pro 2 is rumored to feature the M5 chip, potentially launching late this year. The XR market demonstrates strong growth, evidenced by Samsung’s upcoming XR headset and Luxottica’s Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses achieving over 200% sales surge. Meta is developing next-gen AI glasses and collaborating with Luxottica on new designs. WIMI Hologram Cloud is deepening its XR strategy by investing in tech advancements and ecosystem creation, anticipating a surge in global XR device shipments. The XR sector is poised for rapid growth with numerous new eyewear products on the horizon.

A public dispute has emerged between an Xpeng executive and a tech company concerning the durability of its smart glasses. The Xpeng executive corroborated user complaints on social media about audio distortion and repeated malfunctions, criticizing after-sales service. The glasses, launched in September 2023, aim for daily integration with features like notifications, but face scrutiny over their build quality.

Vuzix (NASDAQ: VUZI), an AI-driven smart glasses and AR leader, transforms logistics following Amazon’s LinkedIn feature. Amazon leverages Vuzix’s “see what I see” capability, enabling remote experts to troubleshoot machinery via real-time worker video feeds, slashing downtime by 40% during trials. CEO Paul Travers highlights Amazon’s enterprise integration validates scalable workforce transformation through hands-free connectivity. Widely deployed across Amazon’s European and North American facilities, this marks Vuzix’s shift from niche tools to core operations. Serving Fortune 500 clients in defense, healthcare, and industry, Vuzix also develops adaptive lens technologies. R&D centers in Rochester, NY, and Kyoto emphasize its sustained industry innovation.