Meta‘s Bet on the Future: Smart Glasses and a Shift in Power
smart glasses, onc a futuristic concept, are experiencing a resurgence driven by recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence. Early iterations,like Google Glass,struggled to gain traction. However, the integration of AI-powered virtual assistants is dramatically increasing the practicality of these devices. Meta’s current Ray-Ban Meta glasses, such as, allow users to instantly identify objects – determining if a pepper is spicy – or translate text in real-time simply by looking at it.
Meta is reportedly preparing to unveil new smart glasses at its upcoming Connect conference, focusing on “the latest innovations in AI glasses.” Bloomberg reports these new spectacles will include a display for viewing apps and notifications, alongside a wristband for gesture control. This builds on last year’s proclamation of a prototype for the Orion augmented reality glasses. Meta declined to comment on specific plans for the event.
Currently, the ray-Ban Meta glasses rely on audio feedback and a companion phone app, lacking a visual display. This places them at a potential disadvantage compared to competitors like Google, whose upcoming glasses will feature a display to show data alongside verbal responses. Industry analyst Guillaume Chansin of Counterpoint Research emphasizes the importance of visual feedback, questioning whether smart glasses can truly replace smartphones without it.
The renewed interest in smart glasses is fueled by the broader AI boom, with tech companies vying to be at the forefront of the next major technological shift. “everybody is looking for what’s coming after the smartphone,” Chansin stated. The success of wireless earbuds like Apple’s AirPods provides a potential roadmap, demonstrating consumer acceptance of a device that offers hands-free access to digital assistants and communication.Melissa Otto, head of research at S&P Global Visible Alpha, suggests smart glasses coudl evolve to become “the AirPods of the future.”
Despite growing market predictions – ABI Research forecasts 13 million smart glass units shipped in 2026, up from 3.3 million in 2024 – adoption remains limited compared to the hundreds of millions of smartphones shipped each quarter. Furthermore, Meta’s Reality Labs division, responsible for both smart glasses and Quest VR headsets, reported a significant $4.5 billion operating loss in the fiscal second quarter of 2025, while Meta’s core apps generated $583 million in revenue.
However, the long-term strategy for Meta extends beyond immediate revenue. The company aims to reduce its reliance on hardware manufacturers like Apple and Google for app distribution. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has publicly criticized Apple’s App Store policies, highlighting its unique control over app access.
Currently, users primarily access Meta’s platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Reels, and Threads – through iPhones. If smart glasses become the dominant platform for social media and video communication, owning the hardware would grant Meta greater control over the user experience and potentially circumvent the constraints of existing app stores. As Otto points out, “I look at Facebook, look at Instagram…through my iPhone.” Meta’s investment in smart glasses represents a strategic move to potentially shift that dynamic.
