Meta Unveils New Smart Glasses and VR Entertainment Hub at Connect 2025 At the Meta Connect 2025 event, Mark Zuckerberg introduced a new lineup of smart eyewear, including the company’s first augmented reality glasses, and a new entertainment platform for its Quest headsets. The second generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses were announced, featuring significant improvements. The new model boasts a longer battery life, now lasting up to eight hours with typical use. Its charging case also provides a substantial boost, offering an extra 48 hours of power compared to the previous case’s 32 hours. The glasses are equipped with a 12-megapixel camera capable of recording 3K Ultra HD video at 60 frames per second with HDR support. They also include 32GB of storage. Later this fall, a software update will add hyperlapse and slow-motion video capture capabilities to all Meta glasses models. The Gen 2 glasses are available in the same three base frame styles as before: Wayfarar, Skyler, and Headliner, starting at a price of $379. Meta also revealed the Oakley Meta Vanguard, a new model designed specifically for athletes. These glasses feature Oakley’s signature wraparound frames with swappable reflective lenses. To accommodate the curved design and prevent helmets from blocking the view, the 12-megapixel camera is positioned in the center of the frames. This camera has a wider 122-degree lens and features adjustable video stabilization for capturing smooth footage during movement. The device’s battery has been optimized to perform reliably across a wider range of temperatures, making it suitable for harsh athletic environments. Additional features include louder onboard speakers and integrations with fitness platforms Strava and Garmin. The Oakley Meta Vanguard is available for preorder now for $499, with an official release date set for October 21. The headline product was the Meta Ray-Ban Display, marking Meta’s first foray into consumer augmented reality glasses. The lenses act as a translucent heads-up display, capable of showing information like text messages, AI prompts, turn-by-turn navigation for walking, and video calls. Interaction with the display is managed through a dedicated EMG wristband that detects muscle movements, allowing users to navigate the interface and even type out responses. During the on-stage demonstration, Zuckerberg showcased features like playing music on Spotify and a real-time subtitle feature that could aid those with hearing impairments, though a video call demo encountered some issues. Due to the need for a professional fitting of the wristband, the Meta Ray-Ban Display will be sold through a limited number of physical stores, including Best Buy, LensCrafters, Ray-Ban, and Verizon. The glasses will go on sale in the US on September 30 for $799, with availability in Canada, France, Italy, and the UK starting early next year. Finally, Zuckerberg announced Horizon TV, a new entertainment hub for Quest VR headsets. This platform will serve as a unified interface for accessing various streaming services available on the device, including Prime Video and Peacock. A key announcement was that Disney+ will also be coming to the Quest platform, expanding its entertainment offerings.
