Meta is poised to introduce its inaugural smart glasses featuring an integrated display, with the intention of broadening their audience reach. Named “Hypernova,” these glasses serve as a transitional phase between Meta’s existing smart shades and fully-fledged augmented reality (AR) devices. With a price point around $800, they are tailored to attract mainstream consumers instead of merely high-end tech aficionados.
The Hypernova glasses will incorporate a compact display on the right lens for notifications and mini-apps, operated through a wristband and touch controls on the frame. This configuration enables users to interact with applications for photos, media, maps, and notifications, acting as a conduit to Meta’s forthcoming AR ambitions. The glasses are anticipated to run a modified version of Android, lacking a specific app store, and will depend on taps and swipes for navigation.
Meta’s approach mirrors a wider industry pattern where pricing plays a crucial role in adoption rates. With Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro facing challenges in gaining popularity due to its steep price, Meta seeks to secure a greater market share by presenting a more cost-effective option. The Hypernova glasses are regarded as a precursor to Meta’s more sophisticated AR glasses, codenamed “Orion,” which are expected to deliver a complete AR experience.
By reducing the price from an initially projected $1,400 to $800, Meta intends to enhance demand and integrate smart glasses into daily life. Whether these glasses can evolve from a novelty to a fundamental gadget remains uncertain, but Meta’s strategy suggests a dedication to making AR technology more accessible to the broader public.
