Meta on Wednesday introduced new Ray-Ban branded smart glasses with an integrated screen that displays apps, alerts and directions on the right lens. The smart glasses are controlled by a wristband called the Meta Neural Band, which responds to subtle hand gestures.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the new product, called Meta Ray-Ban Display, onstage at the company’s annual developer conference, Meta Connect 2025. Unlike Orion, Zuckerberg says this is a product that people can buy in a couple of weeks, starting September 30, and they’ll cost $799.
For years, Meta has been forced to reach consumers through competitors’ devices, namely those sold by Google and Apple. While Meta has invested billions in virtual reality headsets, AI-powered smart glasses now seem like the most promising way for the company to connect with consumers using its own hardware.
Meta says the display will allow users to do a lot more with the smart glasses. They can display Meta apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook. They can also view links and live translations on the smart glasses’ display.
The Neural Band, which comes with the device, looks similar to a Fitbit but without a screen and lets users navigate apps with small hand movements. Zuckerberg said on stage that the Meta Neural Band has an 18-hour battery life and is water-resistant.
The device uses electromyography (EMG) to pick up on signals sent between your brain and your hand when performing a gesture. Meta is betting this interface will be a new way users can control their devices.
However, Meta hopes to win the smart glasses race by being the first to bring a real product to market. Still, it looks like Google and Apple will be launching their own smart glasses in the coming years. These devices will undoubtedly be able to integrate with Google and Apple’s respective operating systems, giving them a significant advantage over Meta.
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