Rumors had been circulating that Meta was developing AR glasses. Recently, Meta confirmed these rumors in a brief part of a blog post. The post was celebrating the 10th anniversary of Reality Labs, the division responsible for its AR/VR technology.
Details are still limited, but the glasses are said to combine Meta’s XR hardware with its evolving Meta AI software. This blend aims to offer top features in a stylish, wearable format.
We’ve gathered all the leaks, rumors, and some of our own guesses here for you. This way, you can quickly learn everything important about the hinted-at Meta AR glasses. Let’s dive in.
We’ll keep this part short. It’s difficult to estimate the price of Meta AR glasses right now because we don’t have much information. Also, no one leaking information has suggested a possible price yet.
Presently, smart glasses such as the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses or the Xreal Air 2 AR smart glasses cost between $300 to $500 / £300 to £500 / AU$450 to AU$800. However, the features Meta has hinted at seem more sophisticated than the current offerings.
Therefore, the price of Meta AR glasses could be closer to $1,500 (about £1,200 / AU$2300), similar to the launch price of Google Glass smart glasses. A higher price is probable because these AR glasses are new and Meta needs to develop compact, powerful hardware to fit inside, which usually results in higher costs.
In contrast to price details, several leaks have suggested a possible release date for Meta’s AR glasses. We might not see them until 2027.
This information comes from a Meta internal roadmap leaked by The Verge in March 2023. According to the document, an initial version of the glasses featuring a display is expected in 2025, with the full AR smart glasses set to follow in 2027.
In February 2024, Business Insider reported from unnamed sources that Meta might reveal true AR glasses at this year’s Meta Connect conference. However, this doesn’t mean they will be released before 2027. Although Connect often features upcoming Meta technologies, the company also uses it to showcase projects that are further away from launch. Therefore, the demonstration of Project Orion, as insiders refer to it, could just be a preview of what’s to come when it’s ready.
It’s important to be cautious with leaks. Meta might change the release timeline of its glasses due to various technological reasons – we won’t be certain until Meta makes an official announcement. The fact that Meta has hinted at these glasses indicates they will definitely be released, it’s just a question of when.
some educated guesses based on Meta’s current technology and collaborations.
Meta and LG have announced a partnership to use OLED panels in Meta’s headsets, and it’s likely they will use OLED screens in the AR glasses as well. Since OLED displays are common in other AR smart glasses, it would be logical for Meta to do the same.
Meta has highlighted two key features of its AR glasses: augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI).
What this will actually look like is still unknown, but picture virtual experiences such as setting up an AR Beat Saber game anywhere you are, having an interactive heads-up display (HUD) for navigation, or seeing and interacting with virtual elements that other users can also engage with, whether for work or fun.
The glasses also feature a unique capability called Look and Ask, which merges elements of ChatGPT and Google Lens. This function lets the glasses take a photo of what you’re seeing to enhance your queries. You can use it to translate a sign, suggest a recipe from items in your fridge, or identify a plant to learn how to care for it.
The AI features are still being tested but are expected to be fully available soon. Although they are not perfect yet, improvements are anticipated over the next few years. By the time the AR glasses are released in 2027, we might see some truly impressive advancements.
