Meta Set to Unveil First Consumer-Ready Smart Glasses with Display at Connect Conference

Meta is set to unveil its first consumer-ready smart glasses with a display at its annual Connect conference next month. The glasses, codenamed Hypernova, will include a small digital display in the right lens and cost around $800. The company will also launch its first wristband that allows users to control the glasses with hand gestures. The event is focused on virtual reality, AR, and the metaverse.

Meta is poised to unveil its first consumer-ready smart glasses, codenamed Hypernova, at its annual Connect conference next month. The glasses, which feature a small digital display in the right lens, are expected to cost around $800 [1]. This price point is significantly lower than initial estimates, indicating a strategic shift by Meta to boost demand and secure a strong market position [2].

Hypernova's design includes a monocular display, a customized version of Android, and capacitive touch controls on either side of the glasses [3]. The device will also come with a neural wristband, called Ceres, which allows users to control the glasses using hand gestures [4]. This innovative control method aims to provide a more intuitive and accessible AR experience.

The launch of Hypernova marks a significant upgrade from Meta's current offerings, such as the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, which are priced between $200-$400, and the Oakley-branded Smart Glasses, starting at $499 [3]. The new model's advanced features and competitive pricing place it in a unique position within Meta's product lineup and the broader wearable tech market.

Meta's decision to price Hypernova at $800 is a calculated move to attract early adopters and establish itself in the wearable tech market before competitors release similar products [2]. The company is positioning these smart glasses as a potential alternative to smartphones, particularly iPhones, aligning with its broader vision of shaping the future of personal computing [2].

The launch of Hypernova is part of Meta's larger strategy in the XR (Extended Reality) and AI wearable market. It serves as a stepping stone towards more advanced products like Project Orion, which aims to combine the benefits of VR headsets with the form factor of fashionable eyewear [3]. This move by Meta could potentially disrupt the wearable tech market, challenging not only other smart glasses manufacturers but also high-end smartwatches, tablets, and entry-level laptops [3].

The event is focused on virtual reality, AR, and the metaverse, providing a platform for Meta to showcase its latest innovations and gather feedback from industry experts and consumers alike. As the tech industry and consumers watch closely to see how these smart glasses perform in the market, Meta's strategic pricing and innovative features position Hypernova as a promising contender in the competitive wearable tech landscape.

References:
[1] https://www.pcmag.com/news/metas-smart-glasses-with-built-in-display-may-launch-next-month
[2] https://theoutpost.ai/news-story/meta-s-hypernova-smart-glasses-with-built-in-display-set-to-launch-at-800-19164/
[3] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/metas-first-smart-glasses-with-screen-could-come-next-month-and-they-might-be-more-affordable-than-we-thought/articleshow/123365231.cms
[4] https://www.uploadvr.com/why-metas-first-hud-glasses-will-have-a-monocular-display/