Photo Credit: Getty Images
As part of its ongoing commitment to wearable technology, Meta has unveiled a new range of smart glasses powered by its advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tech. At the company's annual "Meta Connect" developers conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the new line of devices, which were developed in collaboration with leading sunglasses brands Ray-Ban and Oakley. In addition to the glasses themselves, Meta also introduced a neural wristband that integrates with the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses to allow users to execute various functions, including sending messages, via intuitive hand gestures.
The event comes as the Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp owner faces ongoing scrutiny over the impact of its products, particularly on children.
He called the technology a "huge scientific breakthrough" before an audience of hundreds gathered on the company's Silicon Valley campus.
The Meta Ray-Ban Display comes with a full-colour high-resolution screen in one lens where users can conduct video calls and see messages. It also features a 12-megapixel camera.
During his demonstrations to the audience, things didn't always go to plan.
A call via WhatsApp - which is also owned by Meta - to the glasses did not go through despite repeated attempts.
"I don't know what to tell you guys," Mr Zuckerberg said to attendees.
"I keep on messing this up."
Despite the hiccup, Mr Zuckerberg hopes Meta's line of smart accessories will be a key platform for integrating its artificial intelligence tool, Meta AI, into people's lives.
Analysts say smart glasses are likely to be more successful than the firm's multi-billion dollar Metaverse project - virtual worlds to connect users across digital environments.
The company said it does not discuss sales information but it is understood to have sold around two million pairs of smart glasses since it entered the market in 2023.
The Display will be available this month and sell for $799 (£586), hundreds of dollars more than Meta's current smart glasses.
Mr Zuckerberg also unveiled $499 Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses, which are aimed at sports enthusiasts, as well as the second generation of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, priced at $379.
Meta is currently in the middle of a massive spending spree as it bolsters its AI operations.
