Meta Steps Into Augmented Reality Glasses
Meta has unveiled its first Ray-Ban smart glasses with a built-in AR display, blending iconic style with cutting-edge technology. Announced at the Meta Connect event, these glasses project crisp visuals directly onto the inside of the lens, giving users real-time translations, directions, and information about the world around them.
Ray-Ban Display: Everyday AR Made Sleek
The Ray-Ban Display is Meta’s first true attempt to bring augmented reality into daily life. Unlike the bulky Google Glass, these glasses keep the familiar Wayfarer-inspired look while hiding a compact camera, microphone, speakers, and an LED to indicate recording.
The heads-up display sits subtly below the eye line, showing text, images, video calls, and even live captions without drawing outside attention. With touch-sensitive arms, voice controls, and a neural wristband that detects hand gestures, interacting with the glasses feels natural and intuitive.
What They Can Do
These glasses sync with iOS and Android devices through Bluetooth, unlocking a wide range of features:
Real-time translations and captions during conversations
Step-by-step navigation with turn-by-turn guidance
Music controls and photo/video capture with a live viewfinder
AI-powered assistance for recipes, travel tips, or landmark insights
With six hours of mixed use per charge and up to 30 hours in the compact charging case, they are designed to last through busy days. The Ray-Ban Display launches September 30 in the U.S. for $799, with international availability starting in early 2026.
Oakley Meta Vanguard: Built for Sports
Alongside the Ray-Ban model, Meta introduced the Oakley Meta Vanguard, smart glasses aimed at athletes. These lightweight, wraparound glasses integrate cameras, microphones, and speakers, offering fitness tracking, music, and hands-free AI support during workouts.
In partnership with Garmin, the Vanguard syncs with smartwatches and bike computers to deliver real-time metrics such as speed, heart rate, and distance. Athletes can also auto-capture highlight videos from races or training sessions and share them instantly on Strava. The Oakley Meta Vanguard ships October 21 for $499.
A New Era for Wearable Tech
Meta’s latest lineup signals a bold push into consumer-ready augmented reality. With everyday features packed into stylish frames, the company hopes to move AR glasses beyond novelty and into mainstream adoption.
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