Meta Unveils Innovative AI-Powered Smart Glasses for Athletes

Meta, in collaboration with Oakley, has launched a new pair of AI-powered smart glasses that are designed for athletes and feature enhanced video recording capabilities.

This device enables users to make and receive calls, listen to music, capture photos, record 3K videos, and receive information about their surroundings using artificial intelligence.

The glasses are priced at $399 for the standard version, while the limited edition with gold accents will retail for $499. Pre-orders will commence on July 11 in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark.

In September 2024, Meta introduced an update for the Ray-Ban smart glasses, incorporating real-time video processing powered by artificial intelligence, which allows users to ask the glasses questions about what they are seeing. The update also includes features for reminders, translation, and integration with music applications.

“We’re increasingly seeing Ray-Ban being used in various activities, like riding roller coasters, biking, and being in the water, so we aim to cater to those scenarios,” commented Alex Himel, Meta’s vice president of wearable devices.

The initial version of Meta’s «smart» glasses, launched in 2021, did not succeed. However, the subsequent model released in 2023 gained substantial popularity.

“It was quite a whirlwind. The success took us by surprise. We initially thought Ray-Ban would be the last glasses without a display. We decided to make two attempts, and if that failed, we would shift our focus to augmented reality,” noted Himel.

According to Bloomberg, in addition to its collaboration with Ray-Ban and Oakley, Mark Zuckerberg’s company has mapped out a plan for a category of display-free glasses. A new release based on the Sphera design is in the works, aimed at cyclists and featuring a centrally located camera.

Himel attributed the success of the Ray-Ban smart glasses to numerous improvements in several areas. He mentioned that the sound and microphone quality have surpassed that of some headphones, and they have also enhanced video recording capabilities and AI functionality.

Battery life remains the «number one complaint» for the gadget. The new Oakley models can operate for eight hours on a single charge, with a charging case that offers an additional 48 hours of power. These enhancements are due to new battery chemistry and software optimization.

It’s worth noting that in July 2024, Zuckerberg stated that he envisions a future where everyone will wear devices powered by artificial intelligence.

In May 2025, it was revealed that Apple is working on new chips for smart glasses, more powerful Mac computers, and AI servers.