Meta Platforms recently unveiled new additions to its spectacles range from Ray-Ban and Oakley during the company’s annual Connect event. These products are stated to provide three distinct categories of wearables hinged on AI technology.
The Meta Ray-Ban Display are being packaged with the namesake Neural Band, a wrist-worn device offering control functions for the wearable.
Battery life when in use is up to six-hours or 30-hours using a portable charging case. Neural Bands will run for up to 18-hours and feature an IPX7 water resistance rating.
Meta Platforms stated the on-lens display of the latest Ray-Ban spectacles is intended to be unobstructive, “designed for short interactions” instead of “strapping a phone to your face”. It incorporates microphones, speakers, cameras and a full-colour display.
The Neural Band uses sensors to replace touchscreen navigation buttons, initially providing scrolling controls and ultimately intended to offer message-writing capabilities.
Meta Platforms explained the wrist band is the culmination of several years of research into electromyography technology with close to 200,000 participants, groundwork it believes means the device will work “for nearly anyone”, “a huge technical feat because of the level of variance in people’s muscles”.
Sporty credentials
The Oakley Meta Vanguard spectacles target sportspeople and expand an existing line-up from the pair.
A 12MP camera in the middle of the spectacles features a 122-degree wide-angle lens and is capable of shooting video of up to 3K resolution.
Meta Platforms stated there is a six decibel increase in speaker output over a previous Oakley wearable, along with a five-microphone array.
The in-use battery life matches the Ray-Ban model, with a maximum of up to 36-hours using the charging case.
There is integration with Garmin and Strava apps, with graphic overlays for the latter available.
Availability
Several US retailers are due to put the Meta Ray-Ban Display and Neural band on sale on 30 September priced at $799, with Verizon due to stock it “soon after”.
Meta Platforms is eyeing expansion to Canada, France, Italy and UK in early 2026.
Oakley Meta Vanguard is due to go on sale on 21 October in the US, Canada, UK and a host of European nations. Orders are being taken now, priced at $499.
Source: Mobile World Live
Image Credit: Meta
