Mark Zuckerberg presents Meta’s new smart glasses with integrated AI

Meta has unveiled a new generation of wearable devices powered by artificial intelligence. During the annual Meta Connect conference in Menlo Park, Mark Zuckerberg presented the new Meta Ray-Ban Display, a pair of smart glasses with a screen built into the lens.

The glasses display information directly in the field of view and will eventually be able to replace the mobile phone’s most used functions.

Zuckerberg described the vision as a step towards an everyday life where digital interactions do not require a physical screen. Users will be able to send messages, take pictures, watch videos and even make video calls without looking down at a phone.

The integrated screen makes it possible to view maps, messages and translations in real time. It’s all controlled by voice or small hand movements, which are detected by a special sensor wristband using technology that reads micro-movements in the fingers.

Screen in the lens and wristband with thought control

According to iprofesional.com, Meta describes the Ray-Ban Display glasses as part of a future where information becomes part of the field of view instead of something you actively seek out.

A small screen in the right lens displays messages, images or live navigation, while an accompanying wristband allows you to control functions with subtle gestures such as bringing thumb and index finger together to play music or answer a call.

Meta has built-in real-time transcription and translation capabilities, so conversations can be followed with subtitles directly in the field of view.

The glasses can also be turned off completely and used as regular sunglasses. The battery lasts for six hours of active use and the case provides an additional 30 hours. The price will be around $789 when it launches in the US on September 30.

Zuckerberg acknowledged that some features are still being finetuned, as after a live demonstration, there were technical issues with a recipe guide and video calling.

He explained that the cause was temporary connectivity errors and that all adjustments will be made prior to product release.

A growing ecosystem of AI devices

At the same time, Meta unveiled the improved Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 for approximately $379, which features double the battery life, improved 3K camera and new colors. A third product, Meta Oakley Vanguard, aimed at sports and outdoor activities, will cost around $499.

These glasses work with platforms like Strava and Garmin to display real-time training data and biometric measurements while the user is running or cycling.

Meta’s manufacturing partner EssilorLuxottica has reported that sales of smart glasses have tripled in the past year and expects annual production of up to ten million units by 2026.

With the new models, Meta is strengthening its strategy to create an entire ecosystem of wearable AI devices. The goal is for smart glasses to become the primary access point to Meta AI, where the user is no longer tied to a mobile screen.

• – We’re moving towards a time where technology doesn’t steal our attention. It helps us use it better, said Zuckerberg.