Meta Connect 2025 delivered a jam-packed opening keynote on September 17, with the debut of the Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses being a highlight of the show. Joined by the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) and new Oakley Meta Vanguard sport glasses, Meta gave us a look at the future of smart specs and beyond.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicked things off at Meta's annual event, and while smart glasses stole the spotlight (no new Quest headset here), Zuckerberg did reveal several developer and creator features for Horizon OS that enable AI-generated worlds and creations. He also announced the new Horizon TV hub, which combines streaming offerings like Disney Plus with VR editions of horror movies from Blumhouse.
We also got a closer look at the next-gen software behind Meta Horizon OS and the future of AI in the Developer Keynote. Along with the new Wearable Tool Kit that lets developers create third-party apps or tools that can access smart glasses, Meta talked about how contextual AI will be part of a new wave of technology that will alter the world.
Check out all the biggest announcements from this year's Meta Connect below, along with our hands-on take on the latest Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) specs and a whole lot more.
Meta Connect 2025: Biggest announcements
- Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses: The long-rumored next-gen smart glasses, also known as Meta "Hypernova", were finally revealed. These smart specs combine AI and AR with a waveguide display on one lens, along with a "Meta Neural Band" sEMG wristband.
- Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) glasses: It wasn't the full generation three we were expecting, but Meta revealed new styles, another clear limited frame, and new AI-powered features coming to the popular Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
- Oakley Meta Vanguard sports glasses: The Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses are getting an all-new style in the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses with a centered camera and wraparound shades. These are geared towards a more active lifestyle.
- The future of Meta AI: New Metaverse tools for content creation are coming for virtual reality, glasses and social media. This includes Meta Horizon Studio, which allows for AI-generated creation of 3D worlds, and Meta Hyperspace, which uses cameras on your Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S headset to "capture" your real-world space in minutes and create a "true-to-life" digital replica.
- Horizon TV: A new entertainment hub is coming to Quest headsets with offerings from Disney Plus, Blumhouse and more.
How to watch Meta Connect 2025
Meta Connect 2025's opening keynote with Mark Zuckerberg took place on Wednesday, September 17, and you can rewatch all the big announcements as they happened in the YouTube video above
As for the Developer Keynote (and more sessions) that took place on September 18, check out all that was announced over on the Meta Developers YouTube channel.
And, of course, for a minute-by-minute account of everything announced as it happened, find out all the updates below.
Meta Connect 2025 kicks off today!
And we're back! Meta Connect 2025 is kicking off today (September 17) at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST, and we'll finally hear from Mark Zuckerberg about the latest smart glasses (and possibly more) during the keynote.
There's still a while to go, but to get prepped to watch it, you can catch the livestream over on Facebook or through Meta Horizon on Quest headsets. While there isn't a YouTube stream in place yet, we'll give you a heads up on when it will happen.
So, what's coming? We got a look at the Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses (featuring the sEMG wristband), along with the newly styled Oakley Meta Sphaera glasses and possibly the next-gen Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Will there be more to come? I'm hoping to see the promised Asus ROG "Tarius" VR headset for "high performance," but it could just be a smart specs show.
Follow along for all the latest updates and last-minute rumors right here!
What could Meta announce?
Based on rumors and the leaked ad, we have some idea of what devices Meta should announce tomorrow.
It includes at least three different smart glasses, such as Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 specs, new Oakley Meta Sphaera sports glasses and the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses with a display in one lens.
Coupled with the Display frames should be the sEMG wristband, which will offer some gesture controls. Those were all seemingly confirmed by the leaked ad.
What we don't know is what kind of presence headsets will have at Connect. At the very least, we may see the Asus ROG "Tairus" headset, as the Meta Quest 4 is looking to be a no-show.
For Meta, this should be a surprisingly packed Connect.
- Ray-Ban Meta generation 3 glasses
- Oakley Meta Sphaera glasses
- Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses
- The sEMG wristband
- Asus ROG Tairus headset
First-look at 'Meta Ray-Ban Display' glasses
New Meta smartglasses with display leaked via an unlisted video on their own YouTube channelAlong with their EMG wristband, and other smartglass models they plan to show off this week at Meta Connect pic.twitter.com/8tTlmaeQ0aSeptember 15, 2025
Thanks to an unlisted YouTube video from Meta themselves, we have a look at what looks to be called the "Ray-Ban Meta Display" glasses. While it's been removed, reliable leaker SadlyitsBradley was able to share it.
In the video, which appears to be an ad for the latest smart glasses coming, several specs were shown off, including what looks to be the Oakley Meta Sphaera glasses and possibly next-gen Ray-Ban Meta glasses. More importantly, we got a look at the Ray-Ban Meta Display smart glasses.
With the small display that appears on the right lens, showing navigation, recipe instructions and even a way to type using the shown sEMG wristband, this is looking to be the "Hypernova" smart glasses that's been rumored.
With Zuckerberg showing the latest in AI glasses, we're sure to see more of what the glasses can do!
No Meta Quest 4? Asus may have the answer
All signs are pointing to the Meta Quest 4 being a no-show, seeing as it's been widely reported that it may arrive in 2027 instead. But there still may be a chance of a VR headset reveal, and the time is ripe for it to come from Asus.
Last year, Meta announced a partnership with Asus ROG to develop a "performance gaming headset." Leaks have stated that this Asus ROG VR headset, codenamed "Tarius," will be the first third-party headset to ship with Meta Horizon OS. If Meta doesn't have a VR headset to reveal, perhaps Asus will have the answer instead.
It's already looking to be a premium headset, with notable tipster Luna on X stating it will feature eye-tracking and face-tracking, with either QD-LCD or micro-OLED displays.
Of course, we won't know for sure until the event, but I'm hoping Meta still has a VR headset up its sleeve after all its smart glasses announcements — even if it isn't from Meta itself.
More Oakley Meta HSTN styles
Also thanks to the leaked video, the Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses may finally get more styles. It appears like a more sporty option with a wrap-around design, geared towards a more active lifestyle.
Rumored to be the Oakley Meta Sphaera glasses, it's leaning towards the design of the Oakley Stunt Devil, so I expect to see these being worn for sports, like skiing or cycling.
Moreover, the video also shows a more transparent design, like the transparent Ray-Ban Meta. We'll see more of what's to come, but at the very least, it's looking like more design options!
The one thing Meta needs to win the smart glasses race...
Despite what the seemingly leaked Ray-Ban Meta Display smart glasses will offer, including a built-in display with a visual overlay bundled with Meta AI smarts and a sEMG wristband, there's still one thing Meta needs to nail: making glasses that look cool to wear.
The design is the one thing Meta needs to win the smart glasses race, and the seen waveguide display in the leaked video is a good way to deliver “actual” augmented reality in a casual, everyday pair of glasses.
But as our own Jason England notes, if the leaked Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses are anything to go by, it's looking like thick rims are definitely the way to do it right at the moment. That's going to be a challenge for wearable tech that is so visible on your face, where style absolutely matters. If you don't mind thick frames, though, then this won't be a massive obstacle to get over.
But if Meta and Ray-Ban pull off a pair of stylish smart glasses that include a massive leap in AR, we have an impressive pair of specs on our hands. We'll get a better look once Zuckerberg spills the beans.
What can 'Ray-Ban Meta Display' do?
We know the seemingly leaked "Ray-Ban Meta Display" smart glasses could be the rumored "Hypernova" smart specs, bundled with a waveguide display and wristband, but what can be done on these all-new AI glasses?
Well, not completely unlike the Rokid AI/AR smart glasses we tried or even the Even Realities G1 specs, these upgraded Ray-Bans will be able to show map navigation, recipe options, live translation and even texts that can be replied to via the sEMG wristband right on the lens.
This takes the AR capabilities in the smart glasses to a new level, though, seeing how it incorporates Meta AI visually. Plus, from what's shown in the video leak, you're getting full-color visuals here with images shown, too.
There's still way more to find out, but we could see dedicated apps coming with the glasses, almost like a lightweight version of Meta Horizon. We may also get a simplistic six-app grid that users can interact with using the wristband.
Don't forget the wristband!
Aside from likely using the same touchpad on the side of the smart glasses like the Ray Ban Metas, allowing you to tap or swipe to control the device, a key feature for the leaked Ray-Ban Meta Display specs looks to be the sEMG wristband.
As shown in the video, it appears users will be able to use a finger to type on a virtual keyboard to reply to a message, no matter the surface. That's an amazing step forward! And that means the wristband will allow for hand movements to be used as accurate controls for the glasses.
Is it essential to wear this wristband to use the glasses? We're sure to find out soon. But interestingly, if Meta opts to use this instead of 6DoF (six degrees of freedom) tracking, it would take a load off the processing power required, and stop users from needing to put their hand in front of the camera at all times (phew).
Wait, is Valve preparing an announcement?
As it turns out, Valve may be preparing for a big announcement today. As in, big VR headset news, and if the company does, it would be a very timely announcement to go along with Meta Connect 2025.
As reported, hints that Valve is preparing to unveil its rumored "Steam Frame" VR headset (also known as Valve Deckard) are swirling, as Reddit users on r/GamingLeaksAndRumors have pointed out that a possible announcement may happen today (September 17).
This is due to multiple VR YouTubers making their way to Seattle, which is close to Valve headquarters in Bellevue. This includes notable VR YouTuber Nathie posting on X about being in Seattle, Habie147 stating in a video that there is a "special report incoming," and MRTV heading to see a "mystery VR headset soon."
And would you looks at that? This wouldn't be the first time Valve dropped news during a Meta (or Facebook) showcase. As pointed out in the Reddit thread, the Valve Index was officially announced on April 30, 2019, just when Facebook's F8 2019 developer conference took place.
We're gearing up for a jam-packed day of announcements, and it may not just be from Meta. We'll be here to keep you in the know!
Will we see a next-gen Ray-Ban Meta 3?
There have been rumors that the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses will also be getting an update, but it's also looking like this big update will actually be the Meta Hypernova glasses that have been rumored. That said, perhaps these specs could be getting an update.
The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 AI glasses are expected to be announced, with CNBC stating that a "third generation of its voice-only smart glasses with Luxottica" lenses are set to arrive. That, and a group named XR Research Institute (via UploadVR) claimed two models will be on the way, including sunglasses codenamed "Aperol" and prescription eyewear called "Bellini."
These "Aperol" and "Bellini" style options (above) don't appear to be shown in the leaked video, but that doesn't mean an updated version of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses aren't coming.
We've also heard that Meta will deliver a Live AI upgrade, allowing the smart spec's AI to "see what its user does and respond in real-time, for hours," as per The Information. That, and it may have the ability to recognize faces thanks to this always-on AI, as reported by UploadVR. This is apparently known as "super sensing," allowing users to recall past faces and items, like finding out where you left your wallet.
Along with these "Ray-Ban Meta Display" glasses, there's reason to believe there may be another update to the usual Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
The smart specs to beat...
Recently, our own Jason England got to try Snap OS 2.0, which will run on the upcoming Snap Spectacles for consumers next year, and it's a true look at AR and AI coming hand-in-hand in smart glasses. With its apps like Spatial Tips that use multimodal AI to understand what it sees and give you advice around it, and its Translation Lens for live translation on display, it's an impressive feat.
Now, with the rumored Ray-Ban Meta Display smart glasses, Meta may beat Snapchat to the punch. As seen in the leaked video, Meta's smart specs also include Live Translation and Meta AI to see what you see and understand what's in front of you.
If they're revealed during the Meta Connect 2025 event, there's a chance they will launch before the end of 2025. In any case, we'll have to see exactly what these next-gen smart specs from Meta deliver.
Giving Meta Horizon OS a chance to shine
Meta Horizon OS always gets updates on Quest 3 and 3S throughout the year, but the Connect 2025 event should give us a look at further updates to come.
When data mining through the most recent Public Test of Meta’s Horizon OS, UploadVR found a few features that could be coming to Quest headsets. That includes new home environments to hang out in with other people, familiar areas that have been rebuilt from the ground up, the option to pin 2D apps for all to see and a new social hub for interacting with others.
For those who spend time using Meta Quest's social features, this will be a handy update, but there may be more announced during the keynote for all things Meta Quest (if there's time after all the smart glasses announcements), and I'm hoping for some gaming news, too.
Don't miss the Developer keynote
While Mark Zuckerberg's keynote at Meta Connect 2025 will kick off the show, there's another keynote happening the next day, and it's sure to deliver new insights into the software and apps coming to Meta's smart glasses, and possibly on the VR side, too.
The Developer Keynote is taking place on Thursday, September 18 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. BST, and states that it will show Meta's latest tech, which will be "creating opportunities for developers to build new experiences for people." So, expect a deeper dive into everything announced during Zuckerberg's main keynote.
A little later at 10:45 a.m. PT / 1:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. BST, there will also be a "Spotlight conversation" on the future of computing, which will talk about the "future of glasses with contextual AI, and how Meta is poised to transform the future of computing." We'll keep you posted on the latest!
Potentially improved battery life
We'll hopefully get better battery life on the Ray-Ban 3 Smart Glasses.
With the latest Snapdragon AR1+ chip from Qualcomm, along with its joint venture with VoxelSensors that provides up to 10x power savings with lower latency using XR apps in smart glasses and advancing Physical AI, this could be possible in the Ray-Ban Meta 3 glasses.
Speaking of, with the upgraded battery life in the Oakley smart specs, taking it from the Ray-Bans' six hours to eight hours, that's a good sign we'll be seeing better battery life, too. With an all-new chip powered by the aforementioned Snapdragon, we hope to see this blow way past this.
Tom's Guide has arrived at Meta Connect
We are live at Meta Connect!
Tom's Guide's US EiC, Mike Prospero (pictured above), and Computing Editor, Alex Wawro, are on-site checking out the event.
They'll provide us with any hands-on demos and other insights from the event, so you'll definitely want to keep checking this live blog for that.
Lunch break
While our colleagues wait for Meta Connect 2025 to officially kick off, they're checking out the food available to attendees.
There seems to be a decent spread here. Attendees can also drink water from a Meta Connect 2025 bottle, which is pretty nice.
No VR?
While rumors suggest we won't see the Meta Quest 4 at Meta Connect 2025, it's still possible the company will at least give us a hint that it's coming. That could be wishful thinking, but you never know.
But as we've previously posted, we might see a VR headset from Asus at the event, which would certainly be exciting in its own right. Regardless, it would be strange of Meta doesn't say something about VR.
First-look at 'Meta Ray-Ban Display' glasses
New Meta smartglasses with display leaked via an unlisted video on their own YouTube channelAlong with their EMG wristband, and other smartglass models they plan to show off this week at Meta Connect pic.twitter.com/8tTlmaeQ0aSeptember 15, 2025
We posted this earlier but wanted to bring it up again for those who may have missed it. Thanks to a now unlisted YouTube video from Meta, we have a look at what appears to be called the "Ray-Ban Meta Display" glasses. While it's been removed, reliable leaker, SadlyitsBradley, was able to share it.
In the video, which could be an ad for the latest smart glasses coming, several specs were shown, including what appears to be the Oakley Meta Sphaera glasses and possibly next-gen Ray-Ban Meta glasses. More importantly, we got a look at the Ray-Ban Meta Display smart glasses.
With the small display that appears on the right lens, showing navigation, recipe instructions and even a way to type using the shown sEMG wristband, this is looking to be the "Hypernova" smart glasses that's been rumored.
Hypernova might not be as expensive
Meta's rumored "Hypernova" smart glasses could be revealed during Meta Connnect 2025. While that prospect is exciting on its own, the device's rumored price could be less than we expect.
Initially, Meta's upcoming smart glasses were set to go as high as $1,300 to $1,400. That's a steep price, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that the specs could be around $800 — and that's with the sEMG wristband included in the box.
Compared to the recent $499 Oakley Meta HSTN glasses, the new smart specs now don't seem as pricey for an extra built-in display that's tipped to feature a variety of apps on display (à la Meta Quest 3 and the upcoming Android XR) and touch controls with hand gestures for navigation via the wristbands.
Waveguide technology
It’s looking like the classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer design is going to make a comeback for Hypernova. Leaked by Luna on X, you can expect them to be a bit bigger and to house all the new tech — more compute power, a bigger battery and that waveguide display in one eye.
For those uninitiated, waveguide technology differs greatly from the prisms you see on the likes of the Viture Luma Pro. Rather than projecting the image into the glass just behind the lens, there’s a surface imprinted directly onto the lens of the glasses that the image is projected to. This eliminates the need for a prism and means you can get anything blocking the view out of the way. But it does require more computing horsepower to do it.
A good frame of reference is the Rokid Glasses we tested recently, and you can see the additional bulk needed to house what is needed. As for controlling it, you’ll probably have the same touchpad on the side of the specs, but that’s where the sEMG wristband (rumored to be codenamed "Ceres") comes into play.
We saw this in action with Meta Orion — reading electrical impulses in your wrist muscles to identify the tiniest of movements as inputs. This is going to be significant for controlling smart glasses of the future, and we’re going to get a taste of this future, real soon, in easy interactions.
Instead of trying to do 6DoF tracking, something that takes a lot of processing power and your hand needing to be in front of the camera at all times, the wristband will take care of it subtly.
Dad core glasses incoming?
So you may remember that I roasted (and was equally roasted for) a sporty Sphaera pair of Oakley Meta glasses being heavily rumored. Not because they're not good for sports — fill your boots on that! But rather that you can expect a whole lot of Dads to be wearing them unironically for the fashion.
Well, a recent leak revealed these could indeed be announced at Meta Connect 2025! Not that I have a problem with that, because the central-placed camera and sports-focused Meta AI would make these mightily impressive for sports that require full wraparound shades to cover your peripheral vision like snowboarding.
Plus, with a centralized camera, it should be a whole lot easier to frame videos of what you're doing. So please forgive me for my past transgressions of roasting these specs, and to the Dads, please don't make AI glasses cringe.
T-minus 3 hours
Zuckerberg's keynote is kicking off at 5pm PT / 8pm ET / 1am BST, and thanks to a recent leak, we've got a good idea of what's being revealed. Spoiler alert: expect a lot of smart glasses announcements.
Meta has posted the YouTube link for the stream, so you'll be able to watch it right here!
The challenge of stylish smart glasses
Despite the advanced tech in the rumored Ray-Ban Meta Display smart glasses — like a visual display, integrated Meta AI, and an sEMG wristband — Meta still faces one major hurdle: making them look good.
The design of the glasses is the key to winning the smart glasses market. The leaked video shows a waveguide display, which is a promising way to bring true augmented reality to a casual, everyday pair of glasses. However, as noted by our own Jason England, the leaked images suggest that the current solution involves thick frames.
This presents a significant challenge for a device worn so prominently on the face, where style is everything. While thick frames might not bother some people, it's a big obstacle for mass adoption.
If Meta and Ray-Ban can successfully combine a leap in AR technology with a stylish design, these could be a truly impressive pair of smart glasses. We'll know more once Mark Zuckerberg officially reveals the details.
What I want to see from the (rumored) new Ray-Ban Metas
This is really simple, actually. All those upgraded specs of the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses? Give me those. The improved 3K resolution to the video capture and longer battery life.
These would help drastically with any of the Meta AI upgrades we're expecting to see, such as real-time video AI and video calling using the glasses — while keeping it all in the sleeker Ray-Ban frames.
It'll be a challenge, but I'd love to see it!
Ray-Ban Meta glasses with a display will do so much!
The leaked Ray-Ban Meta Display smart glasses, potentially codenamed "Hypernova," are expected to be a major step forward, combining a waveguide display with a sEMG wristband. But what kind of features will this new AI-powered hardware enable?
Similar to other smart glasses like the Rokid AI/AR and Even Realities G1, these upgraded Ray-Bans are rumored to offer a range of on-lens visuals. Users could see map navigation, recipe instructions, and live translations, along with incoming text messages that can be answered using the accompanying wristband.
What sets these glasses apart is their integration of Meta AI with visual elements, taking augmented reality to the next level. The leaked video suggests the display will be capable of showing full-color images and visuals.
While many details are still under wraps, there's speculation that the glasses could feature dedicated apps, possibly a simplified version of the Meta Horizon platform, controlled through a basic six-app grid that users can interact with via the wristband.
What can Meta learn from Project Orion?
For those uninitiated, Meta Orion is the prototype pair of smart glasses that were revealed on stage last year — bringing truly smart glasses to life. They are chunky and need an entire different computing puck to operate, but there is much to learn from them for smart specs going forward!
First is that method of control — the wristband offers a whole new level of finite interaction with the glasses UI itself. It's looking like this will be part of the leaked Ray-Ban Display glasses. Second is the methods of usage, as getting that visual overlay for your AI asks really does add a new level of help to every situation.
And finally, the multitasking. This may not be possible in what looks set to be announced, but to be able to have multiple apps side-by-side will be essential for the spatial computing power users!
New Meta Horizon OS features I'd love to see
While Meta Horizon OS receives regular updates throughout the year, the Connect 2025 event is expected to provide a detailed look at future enhancements for the Quest 3 and 3S headsets.
According to a recent data-mine by UploadVR of the Public Test Channel, several new features are likely on the way. These include new social-focused "home" environments, redesigned versions of familiar virtual spaces, the ability to pin 2D apps for others to see, and a dedicated new social hub.
These updates will be particularly useful for users who frequently use the social features of their Meta Quest headset. It's anticipated that more announcements, including potential gaming news, could be revealed during the main keynote, following the anticipated focus on smart glasses.
Stay tuned...
Posted by Meta on
Meta's having fun teasing us on the run-up to Connect 2025 with this Reel. Is this video captured on any of the rumored new glasses!?
We are on our way to the keynote
That's enough lunch, it's time to head over to the auditorium ready for the keynote! The queue is mounting and we're just about to take our seats.
VR Gaming
While we don't expect to see any new VR headsets or gadgets, we should catch a glimpse of some new VR games for the Quest headsets.
Throughout the summer, the irreverent Marvel's Deadpool VR has shown up at trailer showcases like Summer Games Fest and Gamescom in Germany. So, I imagine we'll see this one again.
A couple of other titles that peeked out over the summer include Star Wars: Beyond Victory, a mixed reality game set around podracing and action figure collecting?
I'm looking forward to Demeo x Dugneons & Dragons: Battlemarked. That one won't be exclusive to the Quest headsets, but the original Demeo is one of the best VR games you can buy if you're into TTRPGs or dungeon crawler type games like Gloomhaven (digital or tabletop).
Meta could surprise us with a new title, though that hasn't been its M.O. at previous Connect events.
30 minute countdown
The show will kickoff at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST and we're waiting to take our seats.
Outside of the auditorium there is this map that looks like a science fiction map of space but is actually a brief history of Meta wearables and Meta AI.
Seats taken
Alright, alright, alright. We've taken our seats and we're up close and personal with the Meta Connect 2025 stage.
They've put a big countdown on the screen. We're almost there.
Follow along with us
We're on site but if you want to follow along, there is a livestream you can watch.
Check it out above.
...and we're off!
Here we go. No more countdowns or lines.
Let's see what Meta and Mark Zuckerberg have to show.
Zuck is here
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicked things off with a demo of Ray-Ban glasses before coming to the stage.
Zuckerberg is on stage
Zuckerberg opens the show talking about AI, glasses and "superintelligence." Calling it all combined the "metaverse."
"They need to be great glasses first"
Zuckerberg lays out points on how to make smart glasses actually good. Beginning with the fact that they need to be "great glasses" first.
He mentions making them lighter and looking good.
Point 2
The tech needs to be there without getting in the way of usability and function.
Superintelligence
Zuckerberg promotes AI and superintelligence and how it works with glasses
Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Gen 2 announced
The next generation of Ray-Ban smart glasses are here.
We went hands-on with the specs. Check it out here.
Conversation focus
New AI tools that block out surrounding sound and boost people talking to you.
Live AI demo goes poorly
Chef Mancuso uses Live AI in a live demo. However, the Live demo didn't go well and the AI assistant started looping.
Zuckerberg blamed the wifi for the issue.
New styles and colors for Ray-Ban
More styles and colors are coming for the Ray-Ban.
Last year's see-through version was pretty popular and a new matte see-through version is coming in two colors. This version will also be a limited edition.
Next generation Ray-Ban starts at $379
The newest version of Ray-Ban will go on sale for $379 starting now.
Oakley Meta Vanguard sports glasses
The Oakley partnership continues with the Oakley Meta Vanguard meant for athletes.
It features a centered camera to give GoPro a run for its money and open ear speakers.
We got to go eyes-on with the Vanguard, check out our thoughts here.
Auto capture with Garmin and Strava
If you have a Garmin device you can pair the stats tracking with video using auto capture.
You can also overlay your stats from Strava
RedBull athletes put Vanguard to the test
A hype video showcasing the Vanguard glasses featured several Redbull athletes using the glasses for information and video recording while they performed various stunts.
Coming October 21 for $499
If you want a pair of Oakley Meta Vanguards you can pre-order them now for $499 and they will ship starting on October 21.
Meta Ray-Ban Display announced
First AI glasses with a high-resolution, Zuckerberg says.
They come with a Meta Neural band.
Ray-Ban display
Display sits in one lens and shows notifications for a few seconds in one corner of the lens.
Meta Neural Band
The Meta Neural Band picks up on your movements to communicate controls to the Ray-Ban Display glasses.
Zuckerberg described it as a major scientific breakthrough by his team.
Live demo of texting with a friend
Mark Zuckerberg tried a second live demo where it showed him texting with a friend Boz.
He types using the Neural Band with gestures that let him grab messages.
WhatsApp video call failure
Zuckerberg tries a WhatsApp video call with the Display glasses but it refuses to go through.
Hands on with the Vanguard
Here's a hands-on look at the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses.
Volume controls
Zuck shows off how you can control volume on media like a song by the Mamas & Papas with a specific gesture using the Neural Band.
See your photo as you take it in the Display
You can look at the photos you take in the Display without taking your phone out.
They also showed some video recording.
Live AI shown off in a video
While the Live AI demo didn't work, Meta did show off a version of it in a pre-recorded video.
Ray-Ban Display available on September 30 for $799
Mark announced the new glasses will arrive on September 30 in black or sand starting at $799.
A turn to AI
Zuckerberg is now announcing new AI tools.
Meta Horizon Studio
Using AI generation, Meta Horizon Studio can build 3D worlds, characters and sounds for developers and creators.
Meta Horizon Engine
It's powered by a new Horizon Engine that helps underpin the content generation.
It's supposed to make loading new worlds in the metaverse up to 4x faster and host up to 5x more people than previous iterations.
Meta Hyperspace
Hyperspace is a tool that can scan real world spaces that you can then make digital copies of to add to or build worlds in metaverse in virtual reality.
More games coming to Meta Quest headsets
Titles include Marvel's Deadpool VR, Stars Wars, and Demeo x Dungeons and Dragons.
Meta Horizon TV
A new entertainment called Horizon TV is coming to Quest.
It will feature a hub with streaming options like Disney Plus and content from Blumhouse with "immersive" special effects in movies like M3GAN and The Black Phone.
James Cameron is here
James Cameron is now on stage talking with Boz about filmmaking and 3D filmmaking.
Cameron is known for his love of pushing the boundaries of technology when it comes to filming his movies.
James Cameron on 3D filmmaking
Cameron is talking about he got into 3D filmmaking and what it inspires for him when he shoots his movies. He believes 3D is the future of watching films with "theater-grade 3D on your head."
Boz mentions that Cameron is looking for good fidelity, bright colors and brighter screens.
Cameron praises the Quest headset
Cameron praised the displays in the Meta Quest headsets for their brightness and 3D imagery.
Calls it more immersive because you're more engaged.
"MY vision is a stereo-ubiquity future."
A 15 minute Quest advertisement?
No announcements right now. Mostly its James Cameron and Boz trying to sell you a Meta Quest headset with some interview questions sprinkled in.
Mark changed outfits
After the Cameron talk, Zuckerberg came out in workout clothes with the new Vanguard glasses and promised another live demo.
He was joined by Diplo.
DJ Diplo and Zuckerberg go for a job
The DJ Diplo and Zuckerberg left the stage to go for a run while wearing the Oakley Vanguard glasses. The other joggers are apart of Diplo's Run Club apparently.
And it's over... but stay tuned
The Meta Connect 2025 keynote is over. Thanks for tuning in with us.
But stick around. We'll be sharing our hands-on impressions of the new smart glasses and a deeper look at the new Display specs.
Plus testing out some of the features that Meta announced today.
First look at the new Ray-Ban Meta 2 smart glasses
We were able to get a hands-on look at the new Ray-Ban Meta 2 smart glasses in new styles.
These are available now for $379.
Oakley Meta Vanguard hands-on: GoPro has some real competition
We got to test out the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses during Meta Connect 2025.
Here's our early impressions of these fun new specs, and how they compare to some of the best smart glasses..
Uh oh, Live demo failures
During Zuckerberg's keynote speech there were at least three attempted live demos, two of which failed in awkward silences.
The first was a throw to a chef at a kitchen who was attempting to use the newly announced Live AI feature to help him make a sauce. Instead, the AI assistant kept looping.
The failure was blamed on overloaded WiFi.
The second, seen in the TikTok above, was an attempt by Zuckerberg to call Andrew "Boz" Bosworth using the new Ray-Ban Display glasses via WhatsApp video call.
The call failed multiple times until Boz finally joined Mark on stage.
Again, WiFi was blamed for the failure.
The last, somewhat successful, demo involved Mark taking pictures of Boz and being able to view them in the lens display on the new Ray-Bans.
In previous years Zuckerberg would have become more flustered and awkward but his public speaking abilities have grown and he was able to fairly quickly pivot around the failures.
We're getting some controlled hands-on demos of the glasses and the new AI features, but we won't know how they truly perform until we can put the specs through the paces during our true review process later this year.
Our first look at Ray-Ban Display and the Neural Band
We're demoing the Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses and the Meta Neural Band that enables gesture controls.
It's looking pretty cool even in a controlled environment.
In the above images, you can also see what the menu in the display looks like.
Let us know what you think.
Meta Ray-Ban Display first impressions
We got a little bit of time with the new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses during Meta Connect.
Here's what my colleague Mike Prospero had to say about the Ray-Ban Display:
"The Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses are a big leap forward for the category. Not only is their display really crisp and bright, but wrist gestures are easy and intuitive. These greatly expand what a pair of smart glasses can do."
Our time was short so there's more we want to know about the glasses and more we want to do with them.
The real test with these glasses will be if I can stand wearing them all day; will they be comfortable and useful enough to become an accessory that's not just convenient, but vital?" Mike wrote. "That depends as much on their design as their interface and AI, but I'm impressed so far."
Meta Connect continues!
While Mark Zuckerberg finally gave us all we need to know about Meta's latest smart glasses (the Meta Ray-Ban Display are a real glimpse of the future for me), Meta Connect 2025 isn't over just yet!
We're now in Day 2 of Meta's annual conference, with a big Developer Keynote kicking off at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. BST. We'll also be seeing multiple developer sessions throughout the day, but make sure to stay tuned for the "Spotlight conversation" on the future of computing, where Meta's visionaries Michael Abrash and Richard Newcombe will be talking about the future of smart glasses and computing.
So, stay tuned for even more announcements, and we'll keep you posted on the latest!
Meta Ray-Ban Display's Neural Band impresses
The Meta Ray-Ban Display may have given us a taste of the future, but it's the Neural Band that impressed me the most. It's the small wrist strap that comes bundled with the glasses, and it's what sets it apart from other smart glasses in the category.
Instead of moving your head up to see the display or tapping the frames to navigate around the UI (similar to the Even Realities G1 smart glasses I've used), all it takes is a few simple gestures to translate inputs into the display. That feels far more natural than moving your head around, reaching for the glasses or speaking to them.
As our own Mike Propero found, it can take a while to get used to the movements. However, after about five minutes, he was well in control of it (even it was for about 80% of the time).
From flipping through the display by sliding your thumb along the top of your index finger to pinching and rotating your fingers to control volume or camera zoom like an actual dial, this makes using the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses far more intuitive. Also, it's a pretty seamless, and somewhat stylish, wristband — not unlike a Whoop strap.
Strava is coming to Oakley Meta Vanguard
The newly announced Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses are, as you may have guessed by the look of them, made for athletes, and Strava is now coming into the mix by announcing integration with the new smart specs.
As reported, Strava states it will bring “each activity to life with rich overlays that turn captured footage into dynamic stories and share them with their community on Strava.” So, when connected with Strava, you'll be able to share footage captured on the platform, with performance metrics, such as distance, average pace, elevation gain and more.
There's sure to be more apps to come to Meta's array of new smart glasses, but it's nice to see a popular app for athletes already arrive on Meta's more fitness-focused Oakley Meta Vanguard specs.
Scanning real-world settings with Hyperspace
Smart glasses took up quite a bit of the opening keynote (for good reason), but Meta still had plenty to show off when it came to the Metaverse. That includes its Hyperspace Capture feature.
By using the cameras on your Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S, VR users can scan their real-world space and then create a digital replica that others can visit. That means easily making photorealistic social hubs right in the Metaverse, which is a neat trick! And it was shown in action by looking at Chance the Rapper's living room and Gordon Ramsey's kitchen.
It's still in beta, and Meta states you won't be able to visit other people's replicas yet, though that feature is coming soon. But it's yet another feature that makes full use of Meta's current Quest headsets, and you can give it a go right now!
Horizon TV is an all-new way to watch shows
Another new feature coming to Meta Quest VR headsets is an interesting one, as its Horizon TV streaming hub is now the go-to way to watch the best streaming services like Prime Video, Peacock, Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN.
Think of it like a one-stop shop for watching all your favorite shows and movies on various streaming services (almost like a home hub on a smart TV). Even better, it will get exclusive shows with "immersive" effects, as Meta says it has partnered with Universal Pictures and Blumhouse to watch movies like "The Black Phone" and "M3GAN" on the Meta Quest with 3D effects enabled. Neat!
That makes watching shows on a Meta Quest 3 headset far more entertaining and easier to navigate around. That said, we still need to find out more about this new service on Quest, but so far, I'm all for it.
Just in case you missed it...
Live demos are a brave choice for tech companies showing off their latest products, but they don't always turn out as planned. And that was certainly the case during Mark Zuckerberg's opening keynote.
During one of the live demos (as seen in the TikTok video above), Zuckerberg attempted to get a call from Andrew "Boz" Bosworth using the new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses via WhatsApp video call. Alas, the call failed multiple times until Boz finally joined Mark on stage.
Apparently, it was due to Wi-Fi being down. These things happen, and we're sure this (hopefully) won't be the case once many get their hands on the glasses. Still, that's an issue Meta will have to solve when the glasses arrive on September 30 for $799 in the U.S.
Fingers crossed, at the very least!
VR games are on the way
We didn't see much of Meta Quest VR headsets during the opening keynote, but we do have a few games that will be coming.
The biggest title was probably Marvel's Deadpool VR, which was shown off at Summer Games Fest. It looks like a blast, but perhaps not exactly the same vibes as Batman: Arkham Shadow (and rightfully so, it's Deadpool after all). We'll see how it turns out once it lands!
But that's not all, as there's Star Wars: Beyond Victory, a mixed reality game set around podracing and action figure collecting (apparently), and Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked. Demeo is one of the best VR games for those who like tabletop RPGs. All of these games are coming this fall.
Developer keynote starts at 1pm ET
The main Meta Connect 2025 showcase might be over, but there's still more news to come. There will be a Developer Keynote today (September 18) at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET. There will also be a spotlight on the future of computing at 10:45 am PT / 6:45 pm ET.
You can watch the livestream on YouTube (linked above), on Facebook, through Meta Horizon, or on Quest headsets.
Oakley Meta Vanguard first-look
Oakley Meta Vanguard new collab style from Meta and Oakley, offering a sportier alternative to the Ray Ban smart glasses. In fact, they were designed to fit under the kind of helmets you'd wear biking or skiing.
The Oakley Meta Vanguard are the smart glasses designed for those who want to record their outdoor adventures. Their camera has a wider field of view, electronic image stabilization, and time-lapse capabilities. And, the glasses also pair with Garmin watches to give you audio cues for heart rate and other health readings.
These smart glasses cost $499 and launch on October 21.
30-minute countdown to the Developer Keynote
The livestream has sort of started but the actual keynote won't start for another 30 minutes.
...starting soon?
The developer keynote should start any minute. It was scheduled for 10 am Pacific / 2 pm Eastern / 6 pm BST.
The live chat on the stream is filled with jokes about the wifi not working in reference to yesterday's failed live demos.
Some are calling for the announcement of the rumored Valve Steam Frame headset, which is not going to make an appearance, I would bet.
Off we go
Andrew Bosworth takes the stage. Lets see what he has to say.
He's starting the keynote talking about AI and how it will "make everything better."
Focus on VR
Boz says VR is where "some of the most powerful experiences will come to life."
Mentions using AI to build a gaming world in Horizon Worlds
Brief history of metaverse with the original Oculus headset.
2019 the release of Horizon Worlds.
Horizon Studio
Horizon has been on mobile for a year but is competing in a deeper pool.
The goal is to expand the audience.
The new Meta Horizon Studio is supposed to make it easier and faster for everyone to make games.
Using prompts it can generate avatars, text, audio and props.
Fully formed NPCs
Boz claims that Horizon Studio will let you generate NPCs with dialogue, avatars and backgrounds.
Using natural language prompts you can "create a full 3D world."
Claims 1 in every 3 worlds created in the last 30 days used AI-generated assets.
Bosworth says they rebuilt the engine to make the assets actually good with better light maps, visual tools and visual fidelity.
Horizon Central
In press releases that were put out yesterday, Meta said that the new Horizon engine enables more concurrent players can visit a "world."
Including the new Arena world for concerts.
Samantha Ryan
Meta's VP of Metaverse Content, Samantha Ryan, discusses how developers can work on the Meta platform.
And brings out Ryan Engle of the Golf+ app.
Golf+
Ryan Engle discusses his history on developing for VR, beginning with his Pro Putt game app.
His team transitioned to Golf+ with a focus on full swing "realistic" golf.
Vast majority of users are golfers with a third of its users allegedly buying a Quest headset to play golf.
To be honest, I almost bought a Quest for Golf+, so it is enticing.
Engle's presentation is more about building your app and brand by thinking longterm and finding your niche and knowing your customer.
"Grow VR by serving niche communities"
Engle's takeaway big take away is that to grow VR you need to serve a passionate niche.
Ryan returns with platform insights
Samantha Ryan is back on the stage discussing a new Platform Insights blog to help developers understand Horizon.
Resdesigned Discovery
The Horizon mobile app and VR stores have ben redesigned to help apps be more discoverable by users.
This includes an overhauled search, video previews, better attribution, and more places for apps to be found.
Meta Horizon+ subscription bundle
The Meta Horizon+ subscription bundle brings games to users and reportedly helps developers get in front of more people.
Allegedly it also generates more income.
Ryan also said that there will be new "organization" profiles so users can see everything a developer has made.
Revenue
Ryan claims that over 300 apps have generated over $1 million in revenue with 10 of those making over $50 million.
AI developer tools
LLM agents can connect to Meta's platform to generate code, create a full app or review code.
Plus, new blocks for the Unity engine that connect to AI models.
Discord coming to Quest headsets
Ryan announced that Discord is coming to Quest in 2026.
She also mentioned that paneled apps like web browsers and streaming services are more popular than ever.
Horizon Apps can be on Instagram and Facebook
Meta calls its apps "worlds" and Ryan says they can be accessed via mobile on Instagram or Facebook
Devs can start building apps for AI glasses
Bosworth returns and says that developers can now build third-party apps for Meta smart glasses.
Examples he gives including Twitch streamers starting live streams, Disney creating an app for the parks and more.
The apps will be able to access the cameras, microphones and speakers on the glasses. They can also use the Meta AI for "contextual awareness."
What's next?
Michael Abrash, Meta VP and Chief Scientist of Reality Labs, is introduced to the stage to share the future of Meta and Reality Labs.
Contextual AI
Abrash discussed his predictions for VR, while noting that Contextual AI was not something he predicted.
Says that contextual AI is part of a new wave of technology that will alter the world.
We are now in a history lesson.
Doug Engelbart
Abrash's history lesson mentioned Doug Englebart.
He was an engineer and inventor and is considered a pioneer of computer science. He invented the original mouse.
Here's a good history lesson from the Smithsonian if you want to learn more about him.
Second wave
Abrash says the first wave invovles your screens which are distracting.
The second wave 'brings you back into the world' with things like smart glasses and VR headsets.
"As that technology evolves...it will enable more human connection."
Abrash predictions
Abrash says your phone can't contextualize your internal experience.
Context-sensing wearables and AI that understands the digital and real worlds will make the internal experience better.
His example is the conversation focus feature which isolates noise when people are talking to you.
In the future, the AI would automatically turn this feature on and would contextually enhance the conversation even if you're not looking at the person.
Contextual AI will help you achieve your goals
Abrash believes contextual AI will "help you achieve your digital goals as well as your real-world ones."
Despite studies saying that overuse of AI is diluting intelligence, Abrash's believes that the next 10 years will see an integration of human minds and AI brains to understand your context and work seamlessly together.
Joseph Carl Robnett Licklider
Abrash spent much of his presentation referencing Joseph Licklider a presceient thinker who predicted the global internet in 1962.
If you'd like to learn more about Licklider, here's primer from the Encyclopedia Britannica.
A discourse on communication
Richard Newcombe is on the stage discussing both the expansive ability to communicate with millions these days but also the limitations of how we take in communication from others and media.
Human networks transcend the bottleneck of individual perception
Apparently, humans can only process 10 bits a second despite the deluge of information that the modern world contains.
Newcombe talks about how we build our world with layers of organizations, community and networks. Aggregation machines of cognition.
Dawn of AI
At last, we have a technology that can synthesize information faster than a human mind. - Newcombe
Personal superintelligence
Context by Time by Scale.
Like Abrash before, Newcombe is just explaining contextual AI again and "personal superintelligence."
It's about the potential of AI to "weave together a shared reality."
It will ensure you get the information you need when and how you need it, he says.
Its about extending cognition with contextual AI with the second great wave of human oriented computing.
Immersion and cognition
A combination of immersive experiences and cognitive expansion will make AI wearables more helpful to users or as Newcombe called it life as interface.
Future products will understand the world
With the release of Ray-Ban Display, Newcombe says we're a step closer to personal superintelligence through "super-human memory" that will lead to social superintelligence.
He said we will create social teleportation that enhances "our experience of each other."
"We're building personal superintelligence but I think we'll find the value of each other."
And that's it for the developer keynote
The first bit was simply a rehash of the Horizon updates with Engine, Studio and the redesigned app and store which will affect both customers and developers.
The only real announcement was the new Wearable Tool Kit that lets developers create third-party apps or tools that can access smart glasses.
The latter half was pie-in-the-sky presentations about the future of AI and how Meta is trying to build a superintelligence that is both personal and social. Basically, a here's where we could stand in 25 or 50 years.
In case you missed it: Ray-Ban Display Hands-on
We weren't able to get some hands-on time with the new Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses and the Neural Band wrist device until after the keynote yesterday.
So you may have missed our first look at the new specs.
Check our our first impressions if you want to know more.
Meta Hyperspace
During the developers' keynote it seemed like Meta spent as much time highlighting the new Hyperspace tool as they did during Mark Zuckerberg's announcement.
I think it's a really interesting development that could make creating games or environments in VR spaces way more interesting for pros and amateurs alike.
If you want a little more detail on Hyperspace and the new Horizon Studio and Engine, we have a few more details here.
Unboxing the Ray-Ban Meta 2 glasses
Here's a quick look at the updated Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Looking fresh.
And that's a wrap!
With Meta Connect 2025 officially over, we've now seen everything Meta had to offer — and smart glasses stole the show.
As for the biggest announcements and our hands-on time with them, you can check them all out right here:
- Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses
- Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) glasses
- Oakley Meta Vanguard sports glasses
- The future of Meta AI
- Horizon TV
While there was no VR headset in sight (I was hoping for the Asus ROG "Tarius" VR headset to make an appearance), Meta has confirmed to Road to VR that third-party VR headsets are still coming, and that should include Asus and Lenovo. This partnership was announced last year.
We'll have to wait an see when these headsets will arrive, but in the meantime, we have smart glasses to look forward to, and very soon.
