Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has once again taken a bold step into the future of wearable technology. At the company’s latest event on Wednesday, he introduced the world to the much-anticipated Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, the company’s first consumer-ready AI glasses with a built-in display. Priced at $799, these glasses are more than just a stylish accessory—they are a glimpse into the future of how we might interact with technology without relying so heavily on smartphones.
The announcement confirmed earlier reports, including a leak covered by CNBC in August. In fact, a promotional video for the product briefly appeared on Meta’s official YouTube page earlier this week before being swiftly taken down, sparking a wave of speculation online. Now, the wait is over, and Zuckerberg has officially revealed the device, alongside several other smart wearable innovations, each targeting a unique audience.
Meta Ray-Ban Display: Classic Style Meets AI Magic
At first glance, the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses look like a pair of stylish, classic Ray-Bans. But hidden inside is a small high-resolution digital display powered by Meta’s AI. What makes them unique is the way they’re controlled: not with buttons or touch screens, but through hand gestures detected by the accompanying Meta Neural Band, a wristband powered by advanced neural technology.
“This is not just another pair of smart glasses. These are the first AI glasses with a full high-resolution display and a fully integrated Meta Neural Band,” Zuckerberg said during the reveal.
The design philosophy is simple: these glasses aren’t meant to replace your phone entirely but to allow you to perform quick, everyday tasks without breaking your flow. Imagine watching a short video clip, reading a message, or responding to a text—all without reaching into your pocket. The best part? The display doesn’t block your natural view and disappears entirely when not in use, making it less distracting and more seamless.
The Neural Band: Control With Just a Flick of Your Hand
The Meta Neural Band is what makes the experience feel futuristic. It’s an EMG (electromyography) wristband that interprets the tiny electrical signals your muscles create when you move your fingers. This lets you control the glasses with subtle hand gestures—scrolling, clicking, swiping—without physically touching the glasses.
During the event, Zuckerberg emphasized how intuitive it feels. Instead of awkward gestures or tapping the side of your glasses, you can simply move your fingers slightly, and the Neural Band translates it into commands. This opens the door to using technology in a way that feels natural and invisible.
The Neural Band is also designed with accessibility in mind. For people who struggle with large movements due to conditions like spinal cord injuries or tremors, the band can detect subtle muscle signals and offer new ways to interact with technology.
A Rocky Demo, but a Bold Step Forward
While unveiling the glasses, Zuckerberg attempted a live demo that didn’t quite go as planned. He repeatedly tried calling Meta’s chief technology officer, Andrew Bosworth, but the calls didn’t connect. Instead of hiding the mishap, Zuckerberg laughed it off, saying: “This is uh — you know, it happens.”
The slip-up drew chuckles, but it also highlighted the challenges of bringing bleeding-edge technology to the stage. Still, the potential of these glasses is hard to ignore.
The Road to Meta Ray-Ban Display
Meta has been working on smart glasses for years in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the eyewear giant behind Ray-Ban. Their collaboration began in 2019, and last year the companies renewed their long-term agreement, cementing Meta’s vision to keep combining fashion with technology.
The new Ray-Ban Display glasses are seen as the bridge between Meta’s earlier audio-only smart glasses and the more experimental Orion augmented reality (AR) glasses, which Zuckerberg revealed in prototype form at last year’s Connect event.
The Orion glasses were designed to overlay 3D visuals onto the real world using a wireless computing puck. However, due to their high production cost and technical complexity, they aren’t ready for mass-market release. The Ray-Ban Display glasses, on the other hand, are affordable enough to reach consumers today while still offering a taste of what’s to come.
Features That Redefine Everyday Tech
So, what can you actually do with the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses? According to Zuckerberg, the glasses allow you to:
- Watch videos directly on the in-lens display without pulling out your phone.
- See and respond to text messages, keeping you connected while staying hands-free.
- Access AI-powered assistance through Meta AI, making it easier to look up information quickly.
- Enjoy all this without disrupting your view of the real world.
This combination of practicality and subtlety makes the device stand out in a crowded tech market.
Expanding the Lineup: Oakley Meta Vanguard
The reveal didn’t stop with the Ray-Ban Display. Zuckerberg also introduced another product tailored for a completely different audience: athletes.
The new Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses, priced at $499, are built for people who engage in high-intensity sports like snowboarding and mountain biking. These glasses take cues from Oakley’s signature sporty style, featuring a wraparound design with colorful lenses that extend around the temples for maximum coverage.
Unlike the earlier Oakley Meta HSTN glasses released in June for $399, the Vanguard has an extra button on the underside of the frame, designed specifically for helmet-wearing athletes. This makes it easier to capture photos and videos on the go.
Performance-wise, the Oakley Meta Vanguard is no slouch:
- Up to 9 hours of battery life
- Ability to record 3K video
- Louder, more powerful speakers than its predecessor
- Seamless connection with Garmin-branded fitness watches to track data like heart rate via Meta AI
Preorders are already live, with the official launch date set for October 21.
Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2): A Better Everyday Companion
For those who loved Meta’s first-generation Ray-Ban smart glasses, there’s good news. The company also rolled out the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2), an upgraded version of the original.
This model comes with:
- Double the battery life (8 hours on a single charge vs. 4 on the first generation).
- A more powerful camera capable of capturing 3K Ultra HD video.
- Improved all-around performance for everyday use.
The Gen 2 glasses are priced at $379, a bump from the $299 price tag of the original model released in 2023. These glasses went on sale immediately after the announcement.
Horizon TV: Meta’s Next Push into Entertainment
In addition to the glasses, Zuckerberg also announced Horizon TV, a new way to watch TV shows, movies, and sporting events inside Meta’s Quest VR headsets.
Big names like Disney and Universal Pictures are already onboard to contribute content. This move is clearly part of Meta’s broader push to expand its VR ecosystem, blending entertainment with immersive technology.
Why This Launch Matters
The unveiling of the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and other devices marks a significant step in Meta’s quest to build the next computing platform. Smartphones may dominate today, but Meta is betting that AI glasses and wearable devices will become the future of personal technology.
By combining style, accessibility, and utility, the company is trying to make smart wearables mainstream—something that past attempts by competitors have struggled to achieve.
Of course, challenges remain. Privacy concerns, high prices, and consumer skepticism could slow adoption. But with Meta’s deep pockets, long-term partnerships, and relentless push for innovation, these new devices could very well set the stage for a new era of wearable computing.
Conclusion: The Start of Something Big
Meta’s latest event wasn’t just a product launch—it was a statement of intent. From the sleek Ray-Ban Display glasses with neural control to the sporty Oakley Meta Vanguard and the upgraded Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2, Zuckerberg is showing the world that Meta is serious about making wearables part of everyday life.
And with Horizon TV adding fresh entertainment experiences to Meta’s VR ecosystem, the company is betting on a future where technology blends seamlessly into our surroundings rather than pulling us away from them.
As the $799 Ray-Ban Display glasses hit shelves in the U.S. starting September 30, all eyes will be on how consumers respond. Will these AI glasses finally be the breakthrough that wearable tech has been waiting for—or will they face the same struggles as past smart glasses attempts? Either way, one thing is certain: the future of tech just got a lot more interesting.
