Meta Introduces Ray-Ban Display Smart Glasses with Gesture-Based Neural Band Controller
At its annual Meta Connect 2025 developer conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the Meta Ray-Ban Display, a new iteration of smart glasses featuring a built-in display on the right lens. Designed to present apps, notifications, and navigation directions, these glasses represent Meta’s latest consumer hardware effort to rival smartphone functionality.
The Ray-Ban Display smart glasses are paired with the Meta Neural Band, a wristband controller that detects subtle hand gestures through electromyography (EMG). This technology interprets muscle signals between the brain and hand, allowing users to navigate the device without touch. The Neural Band offers up to 18 hours of battery life and is water resistant.
Set to launch on September 30 at $799, the glasses build upon the success of Meta’s earlier Ray-Ban smart eyewear, developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica. The new model integrates an AI assistant alongside cameras, speakers, and microphones. Users can access Meta’s suite of apps—including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook—connect to the internet via the cloud, and benefit from features like live translations and on-screen directions.
While the Meta Ray-Ban Display provides enhanced functionality, it lacks the advanced augmented reality capabilities demonstrated by Meta’s 2024 Orion prototype, which included eye tracking and full AR lenses. Industry observers note that Orion remains a longer-term project, with no immediate consumer release planned. Instead, Meta appears to be prioritizing early market entry with a more accessible product.
Market analysts anticipate that Google and Apple will soon introduce their own smart glasses, likely offering deeper integration with their respective ecosystems. This competition could pose challenges for Meta, which has historically relied on third-party devices to reach users despite substantial investments in virtual reality and AI.
Meta’s foray into gesture-controlled smart eyewear underscores its strategic push to establish proprietary hardware platforms. The success of the Ray-Ban Display will be critical in determining Meta’s position in the emerging wearable tech market.
Originally reported via techcrunch.com
FinOracleAI — Market View
Meta’s release of the Ray-Ban Display smart glasses with the Neural Band controller marks an important step toward consumer-ready wearable technology. The product’s competitive pricing and early availability could drive initial adoption and brand momentum.
However, the device’s limited AR capabilities compared to Meta’s own Orion prototype and expected offerings from Google and Apple introduce significant competitive risks. Market attention will focus on user reception, sales figures, and whether Meta can rapidly iterate to close the feature gap.
Impact: neutral
