Meta has made its latest announcements at the annual Connect event, placing a bold emphasis on AI glasses as the company’s next big leap in personal technology. With new product launches, feature upgrades, and partnerships, Meta is signaling its vision of a future where artificial intelligence and immersive experiences are woven seamlessly into everyday life.
The company describes AI glasses as the “ideal form factor” for personal superintelligence. Unlike smartphones or computers, glasses can see what you see, hear what you hear, and respond naturally, allowing users to stay present while enjoying real-time digital assistance. With this vision in mind, Meta introduced three major product updates.
Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2): Everyday AI Gets Smarter
The next generation of Ray-Ban Meta glasses arrives with significant improvements. Battery life has doubled, now offering up to eight hours of mixed use, and video capture has been upgraded to 3K ultra HD resolution, more than twice the pixel count of the first edition.
A new feature called Conversation Focus is designed to improve communication in noisy environments by amplifying the voice of the person you’re speaking with. This feature will also roll out to earlier models like Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta HSTN through a software update.
Meta also highlighted improvements to its live AI assistant, which is evolving toward being always available rather than triggered by a wake word. While currently limited to one or two hours, the company aims to extend this capability for all-day use. The new Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 is available starting at $379, with fresh seasonal colors and limited-edition frames.
Oakley Meta Vanguard: Built for Performance
Meta also announced the Oakley Meta Vanguard, a new model designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. The glasses feature a nine-hour battery life, a 122-degree wide-angle camera, and 3K stabilized video capture. Two creative modes, Hyperlapse and Slow Motion, add flexibility for storytelling.
What sets the Vanguard apart is its integration with Garmin and Strava, allowing athletes to access real-time performance stats and receive AI-generated workout summaries completely hands-free. An autocapture feature automatically records video based on milestones such as distance or speed, making content creation effortless.
The Oakley Meta Vanguard also delivers improved sound performance with louder open-ear speakers and advanced wind noise reduction, making them suitable for running and cycling in windy conditions. With IP67 durability and swappable Oakley PRIZM lenses, the Vanguard is rugged yet customizable. Pre-orders are priced at $499, with retail launch set for October 21.
Meta Ray-Ban Display: A Glimpse Into the Future
Perhaps the most futuristic announcement was the Meta Ray-Ban Display, the first pair of AI glasses with a built-in high-resolution monocular display. The screen, sharp enough to read text or watch short videos, fades when not in use to avoid distraction.
Each pair comes bundled with the Meta Neural Band, a wrist-worn device powered by electromyography. This breakthrough allows users to control the glasses using subtle hand gestures, enabling silent, intuitive interaction. With 18 hours of battery life and water resistance, the Neural Band represents Meta’s vision of natural and seamless AI control. The package is priced at $799 and launches September 30.
Accessibility and Social Impact
Beyond consumer features, Meta emphasized how its glasses are empowering Blind and Low-Vision users, including veterans. Through partnerships with organizations such as the Blinded Veterans Association and the Be My Eyes app, the glasses are being used to provide real-time audio descriptions of environments and assist with daily tasks. This expansion highlights how AI glasses can improve independence and quality of life.
Beyond Glasses: Metaverse Expansion
Meta also unveiled updates to its broader ecosystem. The Meta Horizon Engine promises faster performance, higher concurrency, and realistic physics for immersive worlds. Paired with Horizon Studio, creators can now generate 3D environments, textures, and audio using simple text prompts, reducing development time significantly.
In entertainment, Meta Horizon TV will serve as a new hub for VR content, with partnerships bringing Disney+, ESPN, Hulu, Universal Pictures, and Blumhouse to Meta’s platform. Dolby Atmos sound and support for Dolby Vision will provide cinematic-quality viewing, while exclusive content like a 3D clip of Avatar: Fire and Ash demonstrates the potential of immersive storytelling.
Conclusion
From everyday enhancements like longer battery life to ambitious breakthroughs like gesture-based control, Meta’s latest announcements show its determination to lead in AI wearables and immersive platforms. The company is positioning AI glasses not just as gadgets, but as companions that enhance memory, boost productivity, and improve accessibility. Combined with progress in VR and the metaverse, Meta is mapping out a future where the boundaries between digital and physical realities continue to blur.
