Meta is preparing to unveil its first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in display, internally codenamed Hypernova, at its annual Connect developer conference next month. The device will launch with a wristband powered by neural input technology for gesture controls.
According to CNBC, the Hypernova glasses will cost around $800 and are being developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the company behind Ray-Ban and Prada eyewear. The glasses will feature a small digital display in the right lens with a limited 20-degree field of view, designed mainly for notifications, text messages, and simple visual overlays.
Meta has a long-standing relationship with EssilorLuxottica. The two companies introduced Ray-Ban Stories in 2021, followed by a second generation in 2023 that sold more than 2 million pairs, according to Luxottica CEO Francesco Milleri. Revenue from these glasses reportedly more than tripled year over year. Meta has also secured exclusive rights to Luxottica’s brands for smart glasses, and Prada branding has been rumored as a possible option for Hypernova.
While the new device represents progress, Meta is reportedly setting low sales expectations. Unlike earlier voice-driven glasses, Hypernova requires additional components and will be slightly heavier and thicker. This cautious outlook comes after Meta’s Reality Labs unit has endured nearly $70 billion in losses since 2020, raising pressure to find commercially viable products.
The design reflects trade-offs. Hypernova includes only a single display rather than dual lenses. Meta’s technology chief Andrew Bosworth recently said monocular displays offer advantages such as lighter weight, lower price, and simpler structure. However, the experience will be limited compared to full AR systems like Meta’s Orion prototype, which blended digital content across both lenses.
A major differentiator for Hypernova will be its wristband controller, built on technology from Meta’s 2019 acquisition of CTRL Labs. The band uses sEMG sensors to read electrical signals in the wrist and convert them into computing commands. This approach eliminates bulky cameras or handheld controllers but has challenges, including accuracy based on how tightly it is worn and differences across users. Still, the data gathered from Hypernova is expected to improve future iterations of the wristband, which Meta views as a cornerstone for next-generation AR.
In practice, Hypernova will allow users to take photos, record video, make calls, send messages, listen to audio, and interact with an AI assistant using voice, display, or hand gestures. Meta is already inviting developers to test both the glasses and wristband, with a particular focus on generative AI apps that could showcase unique capabilities.
From an Apple Glasses perspective, Meta’s anticipated launch highlights how differently the two companies may approach consumer AR. Apple is expected to build on the foundation of Vision Pro, which uses camera sensors and hand tracking for input, contrasting Meta’s reliance on a neural wristband. Apple’s eventual AR glasses are also rumored to emphasize gesture recognition, eye-tracking, and ecosystem continuity, ensuring seamless integration with iPhone and Apple Watch.
The broader competition illustrates two diverging strategies: Meta aiming for affordability and mass-market adoption through fashion partnerships, while Apple is likely to prioritize premium design, privacy safeguards, and deep hardware-software integration. Both approaches could shape how quickly AR glasses transition from niche devices into mainstream consumer products.
