Meta Set to Launch “Hypernova” Smart Glasses with Built-in Display and Gesture-Control Wristband at Connect
Meta is preparing to make a major splash at its annual Connect conference next month with the debut of Hypernova, its first consumer-ready smart glasses equipped with a built-in display. Alongside the glasses, the company will also introduce a new wristband designed to let users control the device with simple hand gestures.
The two-day Connect event, originally known as Oculus Connect before Meta’s rebrand in 2021, is dedicated to virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse. Hypernova, the highlight of this year’s showcase, features a small digital display in the right lens — offering users a new way to access notifications, messages, and digital content.
Priced at around $800, the device will be launched in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the eyewear giant behind Ray-Ban and Prada. Meta has been working with Luxottica since 2021, starting with the release of Ray-Ban Stories, which allowed users to capture photos and videos hands-free. The collaboration has since expanded, with newer models integrating AI features that boosted adoption.
The Hypernova glasses will be paired with a CTRL Labs-powered wristband, a technology Meta acquired in 2019. Using advanced sEMG sensors, the wristband interprets electrical signals from the wearer’s muscles to execute commands — allowing intuitive control without cameras or bulky equipment. Meta views this wristband as a stepping stone toward its long-term goal of fully immersive AR glasses.
While Hypernova will be Meta’s first smart glasses with a display, the visuals are expected to remain limited — offering a modest 20-degree field of view designed for essentials like texts and calls. Meta’s CTO Andrew Bosworth has emphasized that opting for a single display makes the glasses lighter, more affordable, and easier to use.
Beyond Hypernova, Meta also plans to unveil the third generation of its voice-controlled Ray-Ban smart glasses, which will include improved touch interaction. Developers are already being invited to test both new products, with Meta encouraging AI-focused creators to build innovative apps that could highlight the potential of its wearable ecosystem.
With these launches, Meta hopes to solidify its position in the AR wearables market, bridging the gap between everyday eyewear and the future of fully immersive augmented reality.
