New Meta Ray-Ban Glasses Reportedly Feature Display But Need a Wristband

Meta is moving forward with its third-generation smart glasses, once again in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban. Based on details from an internal presentation, this next model will be the first in the lineup to include a small heads-up display. With it, wearers could quickly check text messages, scan QR codes, or even see real-time language translations.

But there’s a catch. The glasses won’t be fully functional on their own. Instead, they’re designed to pair with a separate neural interface wristband, a wearable that picks up subtle hand gestures and translates them into commands.

Key Takeaways

• Meta’s next-generation Ray-Ban smart glasses are reportedly set for release in 2025.
• A new “viewfinder” display will provide notifications and simple visual info.
• The glasses will depend on a neural interface wristband for control.
• The wristband tech comes from CTRL-Labs, a company Meta acquired in 2019.

A Display with a Condition

The upcoming third-generation model clearly pushes past the limitations of the current Ray-Ban smart glasses, which so far only feature a camera and open-ear speakers. The addition of a display is a notable step. It won’t deliver a full augmented reality (AR) experience, though. Instead, it acts more like a smartwatch you don’t have to look down at, sitting directly in your line of sight. That means it’s best suited for quick checks and lightweight tasks, not fully immersive digital overlays.

What’s drawing the most attention, however, is the dependency on that wristband. The device uses electromyography (EMG) sensors to read the electrical signals your brain sends to your hand muscles. In practice, this means you could control the glasses with tiny gestures, possibly even something as minimal as thinking about tapping your fingers together. The technology stems from Meta’s Reality Labs and builds on the work of CTRL-Labs, the neural interface startup the company purchased back in 2019.

Why Two Devices

Meta’s decision to split the product into glasses and wristband seems to be about balance. By offloading the heavier processing and battery demands to the wristband, the glasses can stay light, fashionable, and crucially wearable in everyday settings. That philosophy aligns neatly with the Ray-Ban brand, which has always emphasized style and subtlety.

Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, has even described the wristband as “one of the most advanced pieces of technology on the planet.” At the same time, Meta continues to pursue its long-term goal of true AR glasses, a project known internally as “Orion.” Those aren’t expected for several years, making the 2025 Ray-Ban model more of a steppingstone a way to get consumers gradually accustomed to neural control and wearable displays.

According to the presentation, Meta plans to offer two versions. One will be an “innovator” model with the display, while the other will resemble the current generation more closely and come at a lower price. This gives potential buyers a choice between early adoption of new features or sticking with a more familiar, simpler option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What are the new features of the next Meta Ray-Ban glasses?

A. The main new feature is a small heads-up display, also called a “viewfinder,” that can show notifications, messages, and live translations directly in the user’s field of view.

Q. What is a neural interface wristband?

A. It is a wearable device worn on the wrist that reads the electrical nerve signals your brain sends to your hand. It allows you to control the smart glasses with subtle hand and finger gestures, sometimes without even moving.

Q. Will I need to buy two devices to use the new Meta glasses?

A. Yes, according to current reports, the glasses with the display will require the neural interface wristband to function as the primary control method.

Q. When is the expected release date for the new Meta smart glasses?

A. The third-generation Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses are reportedly planned for release in 2025.

Q. How are these glasses different from true AR glasses?

A. These glasses will have a simple display for notifications, not full augmented reality. True AR glasses, like Meta’s “Orion” project, aim to overlay complex, interactive 3D digital objects onto the real world, which is a much more difficult technological challenge.