Anticipated elements at Meta Connect today: Smart eyewear showcased, boasting integrated visual screens
Meta, the tech giant, is gearing up for its 2025 Meta Connect conference, where CEO Mark Zuckerberg will deliver the main keynote. The event will be live-streamed on Meta's website, Horizon on Meta Quest headsets, and Facebook via the official developer page.
One of the highlights of the conference is expected to be the introduction of a new pair of smart glasses codenamed Hypernova. These glasses, rumoured to weigh around 70 grams, are designed for practical everyday wear, slightly heavier than Meta's Ray-Ban lineup.
The Hypernova glasses are set to feature a tiny heads-up display (HUD) in the right lens, displaying quick-glance information like time, weather updates, navigation prompts, captions for conversations, or text answers from Meta's AI assistant. Early speculation also suggests support for overlays such as live translations, AI-powered captions, and notifications.
Users will reportedly control the Hypernova glasses via a wristband using electromyography sensors to read subtle finger movements. The glasses are also rumoured to be designed to handle much of the heavy lifting via Meta's cloud and AI services rather than on the glasses themselves.
In addition to the Hypernova glasses, Meta is expected to introduce a new software development kit for smart glasses. This development kit could enable third-party apps for devices like the Hypernova glasses.
Meanwhile, Asus is rumoured to be preparing a Republic of Gamers headset powered by Meta's Horizon OS. The headset could include enthusiast-grade features such as advanced tracking, premium displays, and face or eye tracking.
Meta's partnership with EssilorLuxottica is also set to bear fruit with the launch of the Oakley Meta Sphaera glasses. These glasses, designed for athletes and active users, feature a centered camera for first-person video capture during activities like cycling. The focus of the Oakley Meta Sphaera glasses may not be on advanced display tech but on durability, lightweight design, and practical recording features.
The Oakley x Meta smart glasses are now available to pre-order, with a rumoured starting price of around $800. The glasses are expected to be launched by June 20, 2025.
The Oakley Meta Sphaera glasses would give Meta a way to reach niche but influential markets in sports and fitness. This partnership could mark a significant step in Meta's quest to establish a strong presence in the smart glasses market.
As the tech industry continues to evolve, Meta's upcoming devices and software are set to redefine the way we interact with technology. The 2025 Meta Connect conference promises to be an exciting event, showcasing the latest innovations from Meta.
