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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- We anticipate the three.0 model of Meta’s audio-only Ray-Ban good glasses at Meta Join in September with a number of upgrades.
- Meta executives have teased that a number of wearables are coming this fall.
- There are studies that Meta may even launch a brand new line of AR good glasses which have a show and that it’s going to accomplice with a distinct EssilorLuxotica model: Prada.
A number of studies proceed to stream in about Meta launching its subsequent technology good glasses — the successors to its Meta Ray-Bans, which have far exceeded gross sales expectations over the previous two years. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and CTO Andrew Bosworth have largely confirmed that Meta will launch a number of wearable merchandise this fall.
However one of many issues flying beneath the radar is that Meta will reportedly introduce a brand new model accomplice: Prada. This has been identified since a June report from CNBC. It is sensible, not solely as a result of Prada glasses are usually massive and hulking sufficient to carry loads of know-how, however Prada’s glasses are beneath the umbrella of EssilorLuxotica, the identical firm that runs the Ray-Ban and Oakley manufacturers. Meta reportedly acquired a 3% stake in EssilorLuxotica in June to formally lengthen and broaden the partnership — and presumably freeze out different tech manufacturers from making related offers with them.
There’s been loads of confusion and hypothesis concerning the good glasses Meta will announce at its Meta Join occasion on September 17. As a result of Meta is launching a number of merchandise, a number of the wires have gotten crossed by reporters — for instance, conflating options in Meta’s “Hypernova” or “Celeste” glasses (the 2 codenames most related to Meta AR glasses) with the following iteration of Meta Ray-Bans AI glasses. So let’s break it down.
We anticipate Meta to launch two merchandise:
1.) The three.0 model of Meta Ray-Bans audio-only AI glasses — These will probably include longer battery life and upgraded cameras to match the current Meta Oakley glasses, and we’ve to anticipate some new AI options as nicely. These will possible price $300-$500.
2.) Subsequent-gen AR glasses with a show — It is broadly reported that Meta may even unveil a set of future-facing good glasses that can embrace a colour show in the appropriate eye, will use a neural wristband for controls with hand gestures, and can price round $800.
It is the second pair that is prone to get probably the most consideration since it will be a very new product line. So let’s double-click on it.
These AR glasses will not be the patron model of the Orion glasses prototype that Meta confirmed off at Meta Join 2024 final 12 months. These reportedly price over $10,000 to make, had been very thick and heavy, and never sensible for on a regular basis put on. Nonetheless, they did embrace a neural wristband (codenamed “Ceres”) that is prone to be much like one which’s reportedly within the upcoming Hypernova glasses.
That is the place Prada is available in.
The favored luxurious model is understood for its thick-rimmed glasses, such because the Prada Linea Rossa line. In actual fact, these would possibly even be thicker than Ray-Bans, which would supply further room for Meta to pack within the newest applied sciences wanted to run cameras, audio system, AI-powered chips, and a colour show.
Getting again to the wristband, it would not make a whole lot of sense for Meta to incorporate a wristband in a shopper product when it would not do the rest besides management your glasses. Nonetheless, Meta has additionally lengthy been rumored to be engaged on a smartwatch, and now a report from DigiTimes expects Meta to additionally launch a smartwatch at Meta Join as a companion to its good glasses and VR headsets. The neural wristband know-how would probably be embedded into the watch.
It makes much more sense for Meta to launch a smartwatch that pairs with good glasses than it does to launch a pair of good glasses that require a wristband as a way to function them.
Prada makes luxurious watches as nicely. So there’s all the time the chance that Meta might supply a Prada-branded watch that goes with the glasses.
To be clear, this nonetheless leaves loads of questions. Would the watch be bought individually from the $800 AR glasses? Would the watch be a required or an elective accent? Might it even be used to regulate Meta Quest headsets in XR?
ZDNET will likely be in-person at Meta Join on September 17 to get the solutions and to go hands-on with no matter merchandise Meta unveils.
