Meta just wrapped up its annual Connect event, delivering a slew of announcements across AI, wearables, and the metaverse. As expected, smart glasses took centre stage, alongside new VR headsets and fitness-focused tech for athletes and active users.
If you missed the keynote, here’s a clear and easy breakdown of what was unveiled.
What Is Meta Connect?
Think of Meta Connect as the company’s flagship tech showcase: a festival of virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI-driven innovation. It’s where Meta unveils the gadgets and experiments shaping its vision of the future.
In 2025, the buzz was all about AI glasses, smarter VR headsets, and even sports eyewear that tracks your performance.
Meta Ray-Ban Display: Glasses meet AI and muscle signals
The crown jewel from this year’s lineup is the Meta Ray-Ban Display. At first glance, these appear to be classic Ray-Bans, but inside, they pack a punch with a high-resolution, full-colour display embedded in the lenses. Users can check notifications, maps, and messages without needing to reach for their phones.
Pair that with the Meta Neural Band, a wrist-worn EMG device that reads subtle muscle signals from your fingers and turns them into commands. Scroll through text, type messages, or control the glasses with simple finger flicks—no touchscreens or clunky gestures required.
Priced at $799, the bundle ships to select US stores on September 30, including Best Buy and LensCrafters, with expansion planned for Canada, Europe, and the UK next year.
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2: Longer battery and better video
The second-gen Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses deliver double the battery life of their predecessor and faster charging, with 50% juice in 20 minutes. A charging case adds 48 hours of on-the-go power.
Video capture improves too, with smoother, higher-quality footage perfect for creators looking to shoot hands-free.
Meta also debuted a neat software feature called “conversation focus,” which uses open-ear speakers to boost voices in noisy spots like cafes or parks, rolling out soon on Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta HSTN glasses.
Athletic intelligence: Meet the Oakley Meta Vanguard
Targeting athletes, Oakley Meta Vanguard brings AI-powered insights to your training with water resistance (IP67), improved audio tuned for noisy environments, and wind-reducing microphones.
Its wraparound design features Oakley PRIZM lenses for protection against sunlight, dust, and wind. Battery life clocks in at nine hours, with a charging case adding 36 hours. A quick 20-minute charge revives 50% battery.
The glasses house a centred 12MP camera with 3K video and a wide-angle lens for hands-free activity capture. Starting at $499, pre-orders are now open ahead of the global launch on October 21.
Quest VR: What’s next for virtual reality
Rounding out Connect, Meta showcased its Quest VR line, emphasising lighter, more comfortable headsets with sharper visuals and improved controllers. Beyond gaming, the platform is pushing into fitness, social hangouts, and productivity.
Meta Connect 2025 clearly signals where the company is headed: combining AI with refined wearable hardware and immersive experiences to stake a strong claim in tomorrow’s computing landscape.
