Meta is expected to launch its futuristic smart glasses next month, promising to change the game in the wearable tech market.
Although it's not yet clear who will need them, reports from tech websites suggest these glasses will provide weather updates, offer real-time translations, and respond to hand gestures via a wrist strap. The glasses, codenamed "Celeste," are part of Meta's "Hypernova" project.
These glasses will feature a tiny monocular heads-up display (HUD), a small, transparent screen that appears in front of one eye to display essential information in real-time.
Accompanying the glasses will be an advanced wrist strap using surface electromyography (sEMG) technology. This technology can read tiny nerve signals from the hand's muscles, enabling the glasses to be controlled with finger gestures, without the need for a phone or buttons.
Leaks suggest the glasses will allow users to check the time, weather, notifications, and receive turn-by-turn navigation. They’ll also display real-time subtitles and translations for speech, as well as Meta AI responses as text instead of audio. Additionally, they can be used for framing and previewing photos, potentially reducing the need for some smartphone features.
In terms of weight, these glasses are slightly heavier than the previous Ray-Ban Meta model released in 2023. While that model weighed about 50 grams, the new glasses will weigh around 70 grams due to the added HUD display.
However, sources in the industry indicate that this slight increase in weight is not expected to be a burden for users.
Price of smart glasses
When it comes to price, there has been a significant shift from earlier projections. Last April, reports suggested Meta planned to sell the glasses for over $1,000, with some estimates reaching as high as $1,400.
However, according to tech journalist Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Meta has now decided to lower the price to around $800, even if it means sacrificing some profitability to expand their user base. That said, Gurman notes that this base price could increase if users opt for upgrades like custom optical lenses or alternative frame designs.
Design leaks from July revealed early renders of the glasses. Files unintentionally uploaded to a public Meta server showed sleek, modern designs, with one even featuring the engraving "Meta Celeste," unveiling the product's name.
Meta is placing significant importance on this launch, with reports indicating that employees have been working weekends to ensure the development is completed on schedule.
The company is expected to formally announce the product at the Meta Connect 2025 conference on September 17, followed by pre-orders for deliveries slated to begin in October, assuming there are no delays.
Industry analysts are questioning whether a small display and finger gesture control will be enough to entice consumers to switch from simpler smart glasses already on the market. The previous Ray-Ban Meta model succeeded largely due to its stylish design and affordable price, while the new model is priced higher but offers far more advanced features.
The key question remains: Are consumers willing to invest $800 in a luxury gadget that promises innovative features like real-time translations and neural control, but also costs nearly twice as much as traditional smart glasses? Based on current information, it's unclear whether consumers will find enough value in this next-generation product to justify the price.