Meta has officially entered the next phase of wearable technology with the unveiling of the Meta Ray-Ban Display, a new pair of smart glasses featuring a built-in display and a revolutionary wristband controller. Announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg at the company’s annual Connect 2025 conference, the device is priced at $799 and will be available for purchase starting September 30.
A New Interface For Wearable Tech
The Meta Ray-Ban Display represents a significant leap from previous smart glasses by integrating a display directly onto the right lens. This allows users to view notifications, get directions, see live translations, and interact with apps like Instagram and WhatsApp without looking at a smartphone. Control of the device is handled by the Meta Neural Band, a screenless wristband that uses electromyography (EMG) to detect subtle electrical signals sent from the brain to the hand, translating small gestures into on-screen commands.
An Evolution of Smart Eyewear
This new product builds on the success of the original Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which have sold millions of units. While retaining core features like on-board cameras, speakers, microphones, and an AI assistant, the addition of a display transforms the device from a connected accessory into a more standalone platform. This move underscores Meta’s long-term strategy to create its own hardware ecosystem, reducing its dependence on smartphone operating systems from competitors like Apple and Google.
Relevance For The MENA Tech Ecosystem
The launch of the Meta Ray-Ban Display is particularly relevant for the tech-forward markets in the MENA region. The high-disposable income and appetite for premium gadgets in the GCC make it a prime market for early adoption. For the region’s burgeoning developer community, this new platform opens up opportunities to create localized applications for tourism, such as AR navigation through historic sites, or for retail, providing in-store product information overlays. Furthermore, features like live translation hold immense practical value in the diverse, multilingual business and social environments of major cities like Dubai, Riyadh, and Cairo.
About Meta
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. The company’s products, which include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, are focused on moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.
Source: TechCrunch
