Meta launches Ray-Ban smart glasses with AI and display, priced at $799

Core Insights - Meta Platforms Inc. has launched its first smart glasses with a built-in screen, the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display, which can display text messages, video calls, and directions, aiming to make smart glasses a must-have product [1][4][22] Product Features - The new glasses feature a 20-degree field of view with a resolution of 600 x 600 pixels and a brightness range of 30 to 5,000 nits, making them suitable for various lighting conditions [11] - They include a live caption feature for real-time spoken word display and allow users to reply to texts via audio recordings or dictation [7][8] - The glasses come with a new control system utilizing hand gestures detected by a neural wristband, which also has a battery life of 18 hours [5][13] Market Strategy - The launch is part of Meta's strategy to build a consumer electronics ecosystem to compete with companies like Apple and Google [4][22] - Meta has invested billions in hardware, including a $3.5 billion investment in EssilorLuxottica, acquiring a 3% equity stake, indicating a strong commitment to this market [15][16] Future Outlook - Meta aims to sell over 100,000 units of the display glasses by the end of next year, capitalizing on the current AI boom [25] - The company is also exploring future models with cellular connectivity and binocular displays, as well as a potential dedicated app store [27][28] - Meta is researching advanced technologies, including smart watches and contact lenses for AR, although the latter may face technological barriers [29][30]