Meta is reportedly set to launch a high-end version of its smart glasses, codenamed Hypernova, by the end of the year, building on the success of its Ray-Ban collaboration. Recent leaks have provided the first glimpse of these next-generation AI-powered smart glasses, alongside a potentially accompanying wrist accessory.
Leaker Arsène Lupin shared a low-resolution render depicting the alleged Meta Hypernova glasses and a wristband. The glasses bear a resemblance to the current Meta Ray-Ban models, but the wrist accessory is particularly noteworthy. This accessory is strongly speculated to be the “neural” wristband controller, previously codenamed Ceres, initially developed for Meta’s Orion AR glasses. The controller is anticipated to enable intuitive hand gestures for interaction with the Hypernova glasses, such as rotating the hand to scroll through applications or pinching fingers and thumb to select items.
Crucially, unlike the existing Ray-Ban smart glasses, the Hypernova model is rumored to feature a built-in screen. The monocular display is expected to be visible in the lower-right quadrant of the right lens. Although not discernible in the current low-resolution render, previous reports indicate its presence. When activated, the display will present a home screen with horizontally arranged circular icons, reminiscent of an app dock on other smart devices. Users will reportedly be able to access dedicated applications for photography, photo viewing, and navigation via maps. The glasses are also expected to offer notification support for popular phone applications, including WhatsApp and Messenger.
Control of the Hypernova glasses is anticipated to leverage both the Ceres wristband for hand gestures and capacitive touch interactions on the sides of the frame. Meta is also reportedly focusing on enhancing the onboard camera technology within these new smart glasses. The Hypernova smart glasses are projected to be priced in the range of $1,000 to $1,400, with the final pricing and official marketing name to be determined closer to the announcement. Looking further ahead, Meta is already developing a second-generation version, codenamed Hypernova 2, which will feature dual screens but is not expected to launch until at least 2027.
