The metaverse might be dead, but Meta’s still betting that people want to strap computers to their faces.
Driving the news: Meta is slated to unveil its new model of Ray-Ban smart glasses today at its annual Connect event. The product, internally dubbed Hypernova, is reportedly Meta’s first pair of glasses to include a small internal display overlaid on the real world.
Catch-up: The second-gen smart Ray-Bans have been a surprise hit, with over 2 million units sold between its October 2023 launch and the end of 2024, inspiring Meta to increase production. Things have only trended upward since, with sales tripling in Q2 of this year.
- One reason for the success? The fact they look like actual, stylish sunglasses, and unlike bulky VR headsets, users don’t look like massive dorks when they wear them.
Why it matters: Big Tech is looking for the interface of the future, which could eventually supplant smartphones. If that turns out to be smart glasses (which is a big, but not inconceivable, if), Meta is in pole position to dominate.
- While Google, Apple, and Snap are all investing in similar pursuits, Meta’s early start and minority ownership stake in eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica give it a sizable leg up.
Yes, but: Meta could face future production hurdles as its smart glasses are manufactured by Chinese company Goertek, which has an iron grip on the industry. In an era of tech giants shifting away from China, Meta may be unable to cut ties with the manufacturing hub.—QH