US and China Engage in AI Glasses Race with Meta's $799 Device

Meta's AI glasses with built-in display are now on sale for $799. The device has garnered attention outside its Burlingame, California store, with people lining up to try it on. The AI glasses are a new product in the wearable technology market, which could potentially lead to a new "smartphone race" between the US and China.

Meta's latest innovation, the Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, is now available for purchase in the United States at a price point of $799. This new device, featuring a built-in augmented reality display, has sparked significant interest outside of the company's permanent Meta Lab in Burlingame, California, with people lining up to experience the technology firsthand.

The Meta Ray-Ban Display, priced at $799, marks a significant advancement over previous models such as the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) and the upcoming Oakley Meta Vanguard. The new device integrates a display into the right lens, offering a range of functions that enhance user experience, including text messages, camera viewfinder previews, live captions, real-time translations, and the ability to display what a user is listening to on Spotify Meta launches pop-up stores to showcase new Ray-Ban smart glasses^[1].

To promote the new product, Meta has launched a series of pop-up stores called Meta Lab across the United States. The first store opened in Las Vegas on October 16, followed by another in Los Angeles on October 24, and a third in New York City on November 13. These temporary stores provide visitors with an opportunity to try on the glasses and experience their features firsthand. In addition to these pop-up locations, the glasses are also available for testing at select Ray-Ban, Verizon, Best Buy, and LensCrafters stores Meta launches pop-up stores to showcase new Ray-Ban smart glasses^[1].

The Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses went on sale in the United States on September 30, with international availability expected from early 2026. The device's introduction into the wearable technology market could potentially trigger a new "smartphone race" between the United States and China, as both countries vie for dominance in the field of advanced technology.

Meta's investment in AI and wearable technology is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on external hardware and tighten control over its infrastructure. The acquisition of Rivos Inc., a startup building GPUs designed for artificial intelligence workloads, underscores this commitment. Meta's in-house team has already developed its Meta Training and Inference Accelerator, and the acquisition of Rivos is expected to accelerate chip progress, further enhancing Meta's AI capabilities Meta's Secret $2B Chip Play Could Rewrite the AI Race^[3].

As Meta continues to innovate and invest in AI, the company's latest move with the Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses signals a significant step forward in the wearable technology market. The device's unique features and competitive pricing position it as a potential leader in the burgeoning smart glasses industry.