Meta is once again redefining the possibilities of wearable tech with the impending debut of the Hypernova smart glasses — a daring advancement in the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses series. These cutting-edge spectacles are primed to unveil a monocular display, integrated computing capabilities, and an innovative gesture-based control system, all while preserving the classic Ray-Ban style. If you’ve been anticipating smart glasses that genuinely offer smart features, this could be your moment.
Hypernova represents Meta’s most recent endeavor in smart glasses technology, set to launch under the Ray-Ban label later this year. In contrast to the existing Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, which prioritize audio and camera features, Hypernova will include a built-in display situated at the lower part of the right lens. This monocular display permits users to access information — such as texts, navigation, or app content — without the need to look down at their phone.
A report from Bloomberg indicates that these glasses will run on Android and will be equipped with onboard computing hardware, making them more self-sufficient from smartphones compared to earlier versions.
One of the most thrilling features is the sEMG (surface electromyography) band that comes with the glasses. This wrist-mounted device monitors electrical signals from muscle movements in your hand, enabling you to interact with the interface through subtle gestures — like pinching or scrolling — without physically touching a screen.
This innovation allows for a more intuitive and fluid interaction experience, particularly useful for actions such as responding to messages or browsing apps. When paired with Meta AI’s voice functionality, users can look forward to a hands-free, responsive experience that feels both advanced and practical.
In contrast to Google Glass, which forced users to look upwards to see its display, Hypernova’s screen placement in the lower right lens offers a more user-friendly experience. It allows for quick glances without blocking the user’s line of sight — a vital factor for safety and effectiveness, especially when walking or commuting.
The glasses will uphold the chic Ray-Ban aesthetic, ensuring they don’t come across as overly “techy” or awkward. This combination of style and functionality is crucial for mainstream acceptance.
Upon launch, Hypernova will support a select range of applications, including:
While a dedicated app store won’t be available at first, these essential applications will showcase the glasses’ features and lay the groundwork for future developments.
The integrated camera is set to receive a major upgrade. While the current Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses feature a camera akin to the iPhone 11, Hypernova’s camera is projected to compete with that of an iPhone 13. This enhancement will improve photo and video quality, making the glasses more attractive to content creators and casual users alike.
Hypernova glasses will still link to your smartphone via the Meta View app, but with onboard processing capabilities, they will be less dependent on your phone. This marks a significant stride toward Meta’s long-term goal of standalone smart glasses that could eventually eliminate the need for smartphones entirely.
With all these sophisticated features, the Hypernova glasses are anticipated to carry a premium price — ranging from $1,000 to $1,400. While this may hinder early adoption, it positions the product as a luxury tech accessory for trendsetters and professionals.
Meta is not the sole competitor in the smart glasses market. Samsung is reportedly developing Project HAEAN, a set of smart glasses powered by Google Gemini. Apple is also said to be working on its version, while Meta is preparing additional models such as the sports-oriented Oakley-branded Supernova 2 and the dual-display Hypernova 2.
Looking ahead, Meta’s Artemis project aims to produce fully independent AR glasses, although these are still a few years down the road.
