Tech News Assistant Editor
Tez Mukamba
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is pushing the boundaries of wearable technology with the introduction of the Meta Ray-Ban Display, a groundbreaking pair of AI-powered smart glasses that promise to merge digital convenience with real-world interaction. The device was officially unveiled at Meta’s annual Meta Connect event in Silicon Valley, where Zuckerberg personally demonstrated its capabilities, sparking global excitement and immediate sellouts in the U.S. market.
Priced from $799, the Meta Ray-Ban Display has been described as “the first consumer glasses with an actual display and built-in AI functions.” Within days of release, retailers across Silicon Valley reported complete sellouts, with one store revealing that the product had sold out five times since launch and that even trial reservations now required a month-long wait.
The glasses function through a combination of voice commands, AI assistance, and gesture recognition. Once paired via the Meta View smartphone app, users can activate the built-in AI simply by saying, “Hey Meta.” From there, the possibilities are striking: the glasses can translate languages in real time, take and analyze photos, display maps, check messages, or even identify objects — all within the wearer’s natural field of view.
During a hands-on test, the glasses proved impressively stable and user-friendly. The semi-transparent display appeared on the lower right lens, steady even when the wearer moved quickly, and caused minimal obstruction to vision. With subtle finger gestures or the optional Neural Band wrist sensor, users can control screens, switch functions, and zoom in or out — all without pulling out a phone.
A standout feature is the product’s seamless design, developed in partnership with Ray-Ban, giving the glasses a fashionable appearance indistinguishable from traditional eyewear. Meta’s design philosophy focused on blending advanced technology with everyday usability, ensuring the glasses felt natural rather than futuristic or bulky.
Despite these strengths, the technology still faces limitations. Certain commands, such as price inquiries or complex translations, are not yet supported, and some AI responses required multiple attempts for accurate results. Additionally, the glasses’ 70-gram weight and limited color and size options may deter prolonged daily use.
Industry analysts note that Meta’s push into smart eyewear reflects a broader shift among tech giants toward AI-integrated lifestyle devices. Google is reportedly reviving its Google Glass project, Apple is said to be developing a dedicated smart-glasses chip, and Amazon plans to use AR glasses for delivery logistics.
Zuckerberg summed up the company’s ambition succinctly:
“Glasses are the most natural platform for AI to connect with human senses.”
As the race for the next-generation AI device heats up, Meta’s Ray-Ban Display may mark the dawn of a new era — where technology doesn’t just fit into our pockets, but seamlessly integrates into how we see and experience the world.
