Meta is preparing to release its most advanced smart glasses yet—codenamed Hypernova—by the end of 2024, Bloomberg reports.
The upcoming wearable will feature a built-in screen positioned in the lower-right corner of the right lens and a gesture-based control system powered by a neural wristband.
With a projected price tag between $1,000 and $1,400, the glasses are intended to bridge the gap between Meta’s current AI-powered eyewear and its long-delayed immersive headset, Orion.
This move comes after Meta’s existing Ray-Ban models are reportedly receiving display integration and follows the success of its previous smart glasses, which sold over 1 million units in 2024. The Hypernova launch would marks a shift from voice-dominated input toward visual and tactile interactions in Meta’s wearable strategy.
Subtle inputs, visible outputs
The Hypernova glasses are expected to come with a compact screen that overlays essential information into the wearer’s field of view. Unlike full AR, which attempts to create immersive environments, this system will support simple visuals like message previews, AI assistant replies, and navigation cues. The screen’s placement—along the bottom edge of the right lens—keeps it discreet and glanceable.
Instead of relying exclusively on voice or touch, the device will pair with a neural wristband controller known internally as Ceres.
The wristband uses electromyography (EMG) to detect electrical signals from forearm muscles, allowing users to scroll, swipe, or select with subtle finger movements. Based on that principle, pinching triggers selections, while a gentle twist of the fingers scrolls through menus.
Touch-sensitive areas along the temples of the glasses will remain, enabling users to swipe or tap for navigation. The hybrid control scheme suggests Meta is aiming to reduce reliance on spoken commands, which have been central to its earlier glasses.
From AI voice to Android visuals
Hypernova builds on AI features Meta began rolling out in late 2024. The company’s existing Ray-Ban glasses received updates in December that added real-time object recognition, visual Q&A, language translation, and even Shazam-style music identification. These features were part of Meta’s plan to evolve toward more hands-free and context-aware experiences.
With Hypernova, those capabilities are expected to be paired with a custom version of Android. While no app store is planned, Meta will allow select apps such as WhatsApp and Maps to run natively.
According to Bloomberg, users will be able to receive notifications, view media, access directions, and interact with Meta AI through a simplified UI adapted for the onboard display.
One key upgrade expected in Hypernova is an improved camera over the current Ray-Ban Meta models. This enhancement could provide better image capture and more accurate computer vision functions when interacting with physical objects.
Retail traction and future roadmap
Sales of Meta’s current smart glasses have already exceeded expectations. In 2024 alone, the company sold more than 1 million units. According to Upload VR, Ray-Ban smart glasses became the best-selling item in over 60% of the brand’s retail stores across EMEA, giving Meta a solid foundation to introduce a premium-tier device like Hypernova.
Meta’s longer-term roadmap includes Hypernova 2, a future dual-screen version expected in 2027, and Supernova 2, a sports-focused model built in partnership with Oakley. That version will feature a centrally positioned camera and is targeted toward athletic use, says Bloomberg.
Meanwhile, Orion—the company’s immersive AR headset—remains postponed due to production costs. This makes Hypernova Meta’s most realistic attempt to deliver a visually interactive, AI-first wearable at scale.
Privacy pressure and unanswered questions
Hypernova will launch into a market still reckoning with the surveillance risks of smart eyewear. In 2024, two Harvard students created I-XRAY, a system that used Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses with facial recognition tools like PimEyes to identify strangers and retrieve personal data from public sources. The demonstration sparked serious debate about how easily such devices could be abused.
Meta’s current solution—a tiny recording indicator light—has been widely criticized as ineffective. The company hasn’t yet confirmed whether Hypernova will include a camera or update its privacy safeguards, but the pressure to respond is mounting.
Alternative paths and competitive pressure
Meta’s latest push doesn’t come without competition. At CES 2025, Chinese startup Halliday introduced DigiWindow, a privacy-focused alternative with a projection display but no camera. The $399 device features a proactive AI assistant and offers real-time summaries, silent navigation prompts, and contextual alerts—without needing a voice wake command or recording indicator.
U.S.-based Solos is taking a modular approach. Its AirGo Vision glasses support multiple AI platforms including GPT-4o, Claude, and Gemini. They offer users a choice between camera-equipped and non-camera frames.
Baidu’s Xiaodu smart glasses, launched in late 2024, focus on affordability and everyday utility. Priced under $290, they include features like object recognition, calorie estimation, and real-time guidance, powered by the company’s Ernie AI model. Their competitive specs, lightweight build, and fast-charging battery position them as a strong contender in Asian markets.
Even Apple has entered early research stages. Through its internal Atlas project, the company is studying smart glasses using employee feedback and competitive benchmarking. While no commercial product is confirmed, the initiative reflects Apple’s cautious but deliberate exploration of lightweight AI wearables—distinct from its high-priced Vision Pro headset strategy.
Trade-offs and open issues
Despite Meta’s growing momentum, Hypernova still faces challenges. Adding a lens display introduces potential battery strain. Neural input systems can vary in performance based on muscle sensitivity or fatigue. And combining display, input, and AI into a stylish, lightweight frame under 50 grams could push the limits of current hardware engineering.
Whether Hypernova delivers on its promise will depend not just on its specs, but how it fits into real-life usage. If Meta can balance technical ambition with comfort, performance, and privacy, it may finally have a smart glasses product that feels practical—and wearable—beyond a tech enthusiast niche.
