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Meta’s ambitious vision for smart glasses is taking a significant leap with Hypernova, its upcoming high-end eyewear designed to merge digital experiences with everyday life. The new device is expected to feature a monocular display embedded in the lower-right quadrant of the right lens, making information accessible with just a downward glance.
Unlike previous iterations, these smart glasses aim to bridge the gap between augmented reality and everyday usability. They won’t feature full AR capabilities like Meta’s long-term Orion project, but they will introduce app-like functionalities, a home screen, and gesture-based controls, all powered by a highly customized version of Android.
Revolutionizing Interaction with Smart Wearables
One of the most innovative additions to Hypernova is the Ceres neural wristband, a controller that interprets subtle hand movements to interact with the glasses. This technology, originally introduced in Meta’s Orion project, could set a new standard for hands-free device interaction. Users will have the option to either navigate the interface using the touch-sensitive frame or execute commands via hand gestures, making it more intuitive than traditional touch or voice controls.
In addition to a higher-resolution camera, Hypernova will be designed for seamless integration with Meta’s ecosystem, allowing access to tools like WhatsApp, Messenger, and AI-powered chatbot functions. However, it will lack a dedicated app store, meaning its software experience will rely heavily on Meta’s own applications.
Meta’s Long-Term Vision & Competition in the Smart Glasses Market
While Hypernova is set to be Meta’s most advanced commercial smart glasses yet, it’s only part of the company’s broader multi-tiered wearable strategy. The Orion project—a more advanced set of AR glasses—is still under development and is expected to launch in 2027. Meanwhile, a second version of Hypernova, codenamed Hypernova 2, is rumored to include dual displays for an even more immersive experience.
With competitors like Samsung and Apple working on their own smart glasses, Meta is positioning Hypernova as a “mid-tier” wearable, offering an upgraded experience over its Ray-Ban Meta glasses while keeping full AR features exclusive to future releases.
The biggest question surrounding Hypernova is whether consumers are ready to embrace smart glasses as a smartphone alternative—especially at a premium price point between $1,300 and $1,400. Given the success of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which sold over a million units in two years, the company is betting that demand for more advanced features will justify the steep cost.
Meta is expected to officially unveil Hypernova at its Meta Connect event later this year, with a potential launch in late 2025.
