Meta has taken another significant step in wearable technology with the launch of its Ray-Ban Display, its first pair of smart glasses with a built-in screen. Introduced at the company’s annual Connect event, the product integrates artificial intelligence to deliver features such as live translation, notifications, and real-time captions directly into the user’s field of view.
Priced at $799, the glasses will be available in the United States starting September 30, with broader rollouts expected in 2026 across Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. In addition to the Ray-Ban model, Meta unveiled an Oakley-designed version aimed at sports enthusiasts, and upgraded its previous generation of Ray-Ban glasses without screens.
A New Way to Interact With Technology
The Ray-Ban Display introduces a built-in screen on the right lens, designed to provide information without obstructing vision. By using a neural wristband that reads muscle signals, users can control the device through subtle hand gestures. This interface allows for hands-free navigation and interaction with apps and AI-driven features.
The design preserves the recognizable Ray-Ban Wayfarer aesthetic, blending style with technology. For Meta, working with established eyewear brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley helps position its devices not only as tech products but also as fashion accessories that can appeal to a wider audience.
Expanding Into the Sports Market
The Oakley Meta Vanguard, announced alongside the Ray-Ban Display, is aimed at athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Equipped with a centered camera, water resistance, and up to nine hours of battery life, the model integrates with fitness platforms such as Garmin and Strava.
This diversification strategy underscores Meta’s ambition to cover multiple consumer segments. While the Ray-Ban Display emphasizes productivity and communication, the Oakley Vanguard focuses on lifestyle and performance, offering features tailored to sports users who demand durability and integration with their fitness routines.
Technical Challenges and Market Hurdles
The launch event did not go entirely smoothly. Demonstrations were disrupted by connectivity issues, with some features like calls and gesture commands not performing as intended. Meta attributed these problems to Wi-Fi difficulties during the live demo, but the glitches highlighted the challenges of delivering reliable, real-world performance for such advanced wearables.
Beyond technical reliability, the company faces broader hurdles. Privacy concerns loom large for any device that incorporates cameras and microphones. Meta must assure consumers and regulators that data collected through these glasses will be managed securely and responsibly.
The $799 price tag also places the Ray-Ban Display in the premium segment, which may restrict adoption at launch. Convincing users of the long-term value and utility of these devices will be crucial for achieving widespread adoption.
A Strategic Move in the Tech Race
Meta’s smart glasses launch comes at a time when the tech industry is competing to define the next generation of personal devices. While Apple has invested in mixed reality headsets and Google continues to refine its AR software, Meta is carving a middle path with devices that integrate AI seamlessly into everyday life without requiring bulky hardware.
By positioning its smart glasses as practical tools for communication, translation, and real-time information, Meta aims to build a bridge between the current generation of wearables—such as smartwatches—and the more immersive devices of the future.
This strategy also diversifies Meta’s revenue streams, moving beyond its heavy reliance on digital advertising toward hardware and AI-powered services. If successful, smart glasses could become a cornerstone of what the company has called “personal superintelligence.”
What the Future Holds
The Ray-Ban Display and Oakley Vanguard highlight how wearable technology is evolving toward more natural, integrated interactions between humans and digital systems. From business professionals seeking real-time translations to athletes wanting seamless performance tracking, the potential use cases are broad.
Still, adoption will hinge on more than technical innovation. Comfort, battery performance, user-friendly design, and trust in data management will all shape the market’s response.
If Meta succeeds, its smart glasses could open the door to a new era where information is always within sight, controlled by a simple gesture, and enhanced by AI. If not, they risk joining the long list of ambitious wearable experiments that failed to connect with mainstream users.
Source: The New York Times
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