Race to make smartglasses relevant heats up again with new tech from Meta and Snap

Core Insights - Major tech companies are re-entering the smart glasses market, viewing it as the next significant computing platform, with competition intensifying among Meta, Google, Snap, Apple, and Amazon [3][4][6] Industry Trends - Consumer adoption of smart glasses is on the rise, with approximately 17% of online adults in the U.S. reporting usage, a 4% increase from the previous year [5] - The market for smart glasses without displays is projected to grow to 9.4 million units by 2025, representing a 247.5% increase from 2024, largely driven by Meta [12] Company Developments - Meta has launched advanced smart glasses, including Ray-Ban models starting at $379, featuring longer battery life and AI capabilities [9][10] - Snap is planning to release more powerful augmented reality glasses in 2026, having updated the operating system for its current AR glasses [7][6] - Meta currently holds about 60% of the global market for display-less smart glasses and augmented/virtual reality headsets as of Q2 2025 [11] Technological Advancements - The integration of AI into smart glasses is seen as a key factor for their future success, with companies like OpenAI collaborating with design experts to innovate in this space [4][10] - Smart glasses have become more affordable, now priced in the hundreds rather than over $1,000, making them more accessible to consumers [13] Consumer Behavior - There is a need for tech companies to demonstrate the value of smart glasses to consumers, who are accustomed to using smartphones for recording and communication [14]