New Delhi: The first smart glasses that incorporate an inbuilt display have been launched by Meta Platforms Inc.; this is a big move in the field of wearables. The new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are priced at $799 and have a small screen on the right lens that displays text messages, navigation, video calls, music controls and even AI-powered visual search results. Through this launch, Meta is expected to cut down on its smartphone dependence to pass most important functions onto the eyewear.
The glasses are equipped with a new control system which is driven by the Meta Neural Band, a wristband which recognises hand gestures. Users are able to pinch, swipe, or twist their hand in the air to operate apps, music, and the AI assistant of Meta. The gadget has incorporated real-time captions with translation, voice dictation on the messages and also a digital viewfinder on the 12MP camera.
Key features and controls
Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and a music app powered by Spotify are some of the applications supported by the glasses when they come out. The first service to be available will be Instagram, with direct messages, and Reels will be viewed later. The screen has a 600 x 600 resolution and a 20-degree field of view but can be seen in highly sunny conditions. The glasses are able to get a 1080p video with a 6-hour battery capacity, and the case can be recharged four times.
Pricing and availability
Ray-Ban Display smart glasses by the manufacturer Meta will be sold from September 30 in two sizes and two colour choices: black and sand. They will be sold in Ray-Ban, LensCrafters, Best Buy and certain Verizon outlets. The $799 price positions the product together with high-quality smartphones, and Meta looks forward to high demand for the product despite the price.
The launch is timed when Meta competes with Apple, Google, Samsung, and startups such as Xreal in the sphere of wearable technologies. The company is gambling on glasses as the future of consumer AI, and it has long-term plans for full AR glasses by 2027. Meta has also ploughed much money into EssilorLuxottica, the mother company of Ray-Ban, to enhance its hardware ecosystem.
Meta also unveiled updated screen-free Ray-Ban smart glasses as well as a new Oakley Vanguard sports edition in addition to the display glasses. The Ray-Ban update will come with a 3K video camera, improved battery life, and new colours starting at 379. Oakley Vanguard introduces sports-orientated options such as waterproofing, 60fps video recording, and better speakers.