Meta launches AI-powered smart glasses that can control displays with hand gestures

 Meta launches AI-powered smart glasses that can control displays with hand gestures

Facebook parent company Meta has unveiled new smart glasses based on artificial intelligence (AI) at its annual developer conference 'Meta Connect'. The company's chief Mark Zuckerberg announced the devices in partnership with sunglass brands Ray-Ban and Oakley.

The Meta Ray-Ban Display is the most attractive feature in this. It is priced at 799 US dollars. The main feature of these glasses is a full-color high-resolution screen inside its right lens. On this screen, users can make video calls, view messages, get directions and see translations.

It has a 12-megapixel camera installed. The design of the glasses is similar to the classic Wayfarer, so that it does not look too technical.

A wristband called the Meta Neural Band also comes with these glasses. The band helps control the display of the glasses by recognizing small hand gestures. It also claims to read signals sent between the brain and the hand using electromyography (EMG) technology.

Meta has also released two other models, the Oakley Meta Vanguard and the Ray-Ban Meta (second generation). The Oakley Meta Vanguard is designed for those interested in sports, priced at $ 499. It can connect to Garmin devices and display data such as running speed, heart rate and distance during runs or other activities.

Similarly, the second-generation Ray-Ban Meta is an improved version of the older model. It costs $ 379. It has a better battery and a high-resolution camera.

Mark Zuckerberg has called the technology a "great scientific breakthrough." He has been saying that Meta's AI tools will be integrated into people's lives. The glasses work by connecting to the user's phone via Bluetooth. The display has a resolution of 600x600 pixels and can reach 5,000 nits of brightness, making the display clearly visible even in sunlight.

A demo showed off a live translation feature, where the glasses instantly displayed the speech of the person being talked to as text on the screen. However, there were some technical issues during Zuckerberg's presentation; despite repeated attempts, WhatsApp calls on the glasses were not successful.

Analysts say the smart glasses have the potential to be more successful than Meta's multi-billion dollar Metaverse project. One reviewer called the glasses "the best" he has ever used.

However, there are some concerns about their price and privacy. One analyst said that the high price of 799 may not make them as popular as other cheaper models. Reddit users have raised concerns about Meta's data collection methods.

The Meta Ray-Ban Display will be available in the US starting September 30. The company plans to expand sales to Canada, France, Italy and the UK in early 2026. Meta is also bringing a 'Wearable Device Access Toolkit' to developers, which will allow them to create new apps using the glasses' sensors.