Apple Vision Pro's Next Competitor

Meta continues its ambition to dominate the smart glasses market with a model that integrates a screen, priced at over $1,000.

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Photo: Bloomberg .

According to Bloomberg , Meta is developing a high-end version of its Ray-Ban smart glasses, integrating a screen and the ability to control them with hand gestures.

Meta is expected to launch its glasses as early as the end of this year. The company hopes this is a new step in creating a product that replaces the iPhone and mobile devices in general.

Price over 1,000 USD

Codenamed Hypernova, Meta staff estimate the device will cost over $1,000 , with the highest being around $1,300-$1,400 . The final price may be decided as the launch date approaches.

Currently priced at $300 , the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses smart glasses have been a surprise success for Meta. According to Bloomberg , the company will continue to sell the product, leveraging its popularity to push users to higher-end models.

The display is what makes the new product more expensive. The display is monochrome and is expected to be located in the lower right corner of the right lens. This means that information is only displayed to the right eye, and is best seen when the wearer glances down.

According to the description, the screen displays the Meta and partner logos (such as Qualcomm) during startup. When the glasses are turned on, users will see the home screen with circular icons, arranged horizontally similar to the Meta Quest and the iPhone dock.

The glasses come with pre-installed photo, photo and map apps, and can receive notifications from smartphones. In addition to these features, the product operates similarly to Ray-Ban glasses, focusing on taking photos, interacting with AI assistants, making calls and playing music.

Like many other new Meta devices, the product is expected to use a customized Android operating system. The company currently has no plans to integrate an app store. Users can control the glasses via a touch button on the side, supporting swipes and taps.

A smart glass model with an integrated screen. Photo: Vuzix .

Based on rumors, Meta plans to launch a “neural bracelet” that allows controlling the glasses with hand gestures, such as rotating the hand to browse apps, pinching two fingers to select... The company plans to sell the glasses with the bracelet in a product package called Cares.

Meta also plans to upgrade the camera for the Hypernova. Internally, the company rates the 12 MP camera on current models as being on par with the iPhone 11. On the new glasses, the company wants to improve the camera quality to be on par with the iPhone 13. Meta also plans to develop a glasses case, codenamed Heres, that can fold open in a triangle.

The product is still in development, so the specs and design of the glasses could change before launch. Meta could even cancel development of the product, similar to what the company did with its AR glasses codenamed Luna 18 months ago.

Meta is even developing a second generation of the product, codenamed Hypernova 2. The biggest difference comes from integrating the screen into both frames. Rumors say the product is planned to launch in 2027.

Meta's Ambition

Smart glasses with displays would be the next step in Meta's vision to create true augmented reality (AR) glasses that can overlay images, videos, and interactive information onto the real world , according to analyst Mark Gurman.

However, these products require more advanced, expensive technology than the Hypernova's simple display.

Meta Orion AR glasses prototype. Photo: Bloomberg .

In addition to Hypernova, Meta is also completing a screen-less smart glasses model, codenamed Supernova 2. The device is expected to operate similarly to Ray-Ban but is designed by eyewear company Oakley, optimized for sports activities such as cycling.

Meta unveiled a prototype of its Orion AR glasses last year, but Bloomberg reported that the consumer version, codenamed Artemis, is expected to launch in 2027. Meanwhile, Meta is still using Orion internally to develop the software.

Meta’s plans for smart glasses are not yet finalized. According to Gurman, the Reality Labs division at the company has not yet decided whether to combine the Artemis and Hypernova projects into one, or launch them separately at different prices.

Source: https://znews.vn/doi-thu-moi-cua-apple-vision-pro-post1542779.html