Meta Connect 2025: Ray-Ban Smart Glasses & All New Reveals
▼ Summary
– Meta unveiled three new smart glasses at Meta Connect 2025: the second-generation Ray-Ban Meta, the Meta Ray-Ban Display with wristband controller, and the Oakley Meta Vanguard.
– The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses feature double the battery life, ultra HD 3K video recording, and upcoming AI features like conversation focus and Live AI.
– The Meta Ray-Ban Display includes a built-in display and a wristband controller called the Meta Neural Band, which uses sEMG technology to detect minute hand gestures for text input.
– The Oakley Meta Vanguard is designed for athletes with features like workout music playback, app integration, 3K video capture, and IP67 dust and water resistance.
– During the keynote, a live demo of the AI capabilities on the Ray-Ban Meta glasses failed when the AI provided incorrect instructions for a recipe, creating an awkward moment.
Meta Connect 2025 brought major announcements in the wearable tech space, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg introducing three new smart glasses models designed to push the boundaries of AI integration and everyday usability. The event highlighted the company’s growing focus on smart eyewear as a central platform for artificial intelligence, communication, and immersive experiences.
The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses lead the new lineup, offering significant upgrades over the original model. These include double the battery life, now reaching up to eight hours on a single charge, and support for ultra HD 3K video recording. A new feature called “conversation focus” aims to enhance real-world interactions by amplifying the voice of the person you’re speaking with through open-ear speakers. Though not yet available, this functionality promises to make social settings more manageable amid background noise.
Priced at $379, the updated glasses also introduce Live AI capabilities, though the feature remains energy-intensive, limiting use to roughly one or two hours per session. During the keynote, a live demonstration stumbled when the AI assistant failed to provide coherent cooking instructions, resulting in an awkward but memorable moment. Zuckerberg humorously attributed the glitch to Wi-Fi issues, though the glitch appeared to be software-related.
A more advanced offering, the Meta Ray-Ban Display, incorporates a built-in visual interface on the right lens for notifications, apps, and directions. This model is bundled with the Meta Neural Band, a screenless wristband that uses surface electromyography (sEMG) to detect subtle finger and hand movements. This enables users to compose messages through air-writing gestures, offering a glimpse into a future where smartphones may not always be necessary.
The Neural Band represents a significant investment from Meta’s Reality Labs and signals the company’s ambition to redefine how we interact with technology. At $799, the Display glasses and wristband controller will be available starting September 30.
For athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, the Oakley Meta Vanguard offers a purpose-built design with a unified lens and a centrally mounted 12-megapixel camera capable of recording in 3K. With an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, Oakley PRIZM™ lens technology, and integration with fitness apps like Strava and Garmin, these glasses are tailored for active use. Battery life reaches nine hours of general use or six hours with continuous music playback, supported by a charging case that provides an additional 36 hours of power.
Priced at $499, the Vanguard model goes on sale October 21.
Notably absent from this year’s Connect were new virtual reality headsets, though Meta did announce Hyperscape, a tool for building photorealistic VR environments. Reports suggest a lightweight VR headset is in development for late 2026, potentially setting the stage for next year’s event.
With two million first-generation units sold and a clear roadmap for AI-powered wearables, Meta is positioning itself at the forefront of a shift toward more integrated, intuitive technology, even if the path there includes the occasional on-stage hiccup.
(Source: TechCrunch)
