Meta Pauses Global Launch Of Ray-Ban Smart Glasses After US Rush

Core Insights - Meta Platforms Inc. is delaying the international rollout of Ray-Ban Display smart glasses due to overwhelming domestic demand in the U.S., which has led to customer waitlists extending into 2026 [1] - The company initially planned to launch in markets such as the U.K., France, Italy, and Canada by early 2026, but will now prioritize fulfilling U.S. orders first [1] Product Development - Meta is positioning the Ray-Ban Display as a versatile wearable, integrating it with a wrist-worn "Neural Band" for gesture control and introducing features like a teleprompter mode and gesture-based writing at CES 2026 [2] - The company has expanded pedestrian navigation support to additional U.S. cities, enhancing the glasses' utility in everyday settings [3] Supply Chain and Competition - The delay in the international rollout highlights the challenges of scaling production in the smart glasses market, with manufacturing partner EssilorLuxottica planning to increase capacity to meet demand [4] - Competition is intensifying, with Alphabet collaborating with Warby Parker on smart glasses and OpenAI reportedly working with Apple on AI eyewear [6] - Meta aims to scale production of Ray-Ban Meta glasses to 10 million units annually by 2026 while focusing on higher-value AI wearables [6]