Meta is set to unveil its most advanced smart glasses yet, Hypernova, at its Connect annual event. The glasses feature a small display that can be controlled via hand gestures through a wristband using neural technology. Investors will be watching for public response as Meta shifts its metaverse bet.
Meta’s Reality Labs division has recorded an operating loss of $4.53 billion during the second quarter, totaling nearly $70 billion in losses since late 2020. Analysts believe smart glasses are a more sound investment than VR headsets, which remain niche and could take years to blossom.
The Hypernova represents a middle ground between Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta glasses and experimental Orion AR glasses. While Orion is still experimental and costly, the single display in Hypernova is seen as a move in the right direction to build an ecosystem of apps.
Analysts will be watching for signs that Meta’s AI-related strategy shifts can help its hardware efforts. The glasses could be the right hardware form factor for AI features. However, consumers may ultimately reject the Hypernova and smart glasses with displays if they don’t offer compelling apps and software.
Meta aims to make smart glasses the next major personal computing platform, but Apple and Google remain on top with iOS and Android mobile operating systems. The competition is working on their own competitive products, including Apple’s glasses project and Google’s $150 million partnership with Warby Parker.
Key points:
* Meta unveils Hypernova smart glasses with display
* Shifts focus from VR headsets to glasses
* Analysts believe smart glasses are a more sound investment
* Hypernova represents a middle ground between Ray-Ban Meta glasses and Orion AR glasses
* AI-related strategy shifts could help hardware efforts
Note: The article has been simplified by removing unnecessary details and rephrasing complex sentences for easier understanding.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/16/meta-connect-hypernova-ai.html