Meta introduced new AI-powered smart glasses that put a tiny display inside the lens. CEO Mark Zuckerberg showed the Ray-Ban Display glasses at the company’s Connect event in Menlo Park, California. According to CNN, Meta also updated its Ray-Ban Gen 2 and launched the Meta Oakley Vanguard sports glasses.
Ray-Ban Display puts a screen in your field of view
The Ray-Ban Display adds a small screen to the inside right corner of the right lens. It appears several feet in front of what the wearer sees. Only the wearer can view the screen.
Users can read and send messages, review photos and videos, watch Instagram Reels, and take video calls. A map view shows real-time location for turn-by-turn help. Live captioning and translation show spoken words on the display and save a transcript in the Meta AI app.
The glasses connect to Meta AI for answers. The assistant shows information panels on the display and also gives audio replies. Zuckerberg said glasses are an ideal form factor for “personal super intelligence.”
Interaction works with a “neural” wristband for subtle hand gestures. Tapping thumb and index finger selects items like play on music. Users can turn the display off and wear them like normal glasses.
Meta says the glasses run for six hours per charge. The case adds up to 30 hours, and the wristband lasts 18 hours and is water-resistant. Sales start September 30 for $799 at select Verizon, Lens Crafter, Ray-Ban, and Best Buy stores in the United States.
Competition and context
CNN reports Meta faces rivals at Google, Samsung, Snap, and potentially Amazon. EssilorLuxottica said revenue from Meta glasses more than tripled year-over-year, and targets 10 million pairs per year from 2026.
Gen 2 updates and new Oakley Vanguard
The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 costs $379 and keeps a similar look. Battery life doubles to eight hours, and the case adds 48 hours. The camera now captures 3K video. Slow-motion and hyperlapse arrive later this fall.
A new opt-in “conversation focus” feature uses open-ear speakers to make it easier to hear someone in loud places. CNN noted some live demos had issues during Connect, including a glitch on a video call and an assistant response that failed.
The Meta Oakley Vanguard costs $499 and targets sports and outdoor use. It pairs with Strava and Garmin to track workouts. The Meta AI app adds a “workouts” section with activity details, captured media, and an AI summary.
Vanguard has larger, louder speakers and about nine hours of battery life. It is water- and dust-resistant. The centered camera captures 3K video with a wider field of view. Zuckerberg said he has taken them surfing.
