Meta appears ready to significantly up the ante in the smart glasses race. Reports originating from Bloomberg suggest the company is developing a high-end successor within its Ray-Ban lineup, codenamed “Hypernova,” which could ditch the camera-and-audio-only approach for a version featuring a built-in display. Expect a potential launch as early as late 2024.
Beyond Notifications: A True Head-Up Display?
The standout feature of Meta Hypernova is undeniably the integrated head-up display (HUD). According to sources, this isn’t just a simple notification light; it’s a small screen located in the bottom-right corner of the right lens, designed for viewing when looking down.
This display is expected to:
- Run applications directly on the glasses.
- Show photos and potentially other visual information.
- Utilize a Meta Quest-like horizontal icon interface for navigation.
Interaction is said to move beyond basic voice commands, incorporating hand gestures and a capacitive touch area on the frame. Hypernova is also tipped to include an improved camera compared to current Ray-Ban Meta models and deepen the integration of an always-on AI assistant.
Premium Price for “Mid-Range” Positioning?
This advanced functionality won’t come cheap. The Meta Hypernova price is projected to start north of $1000, potentially reaching $1300-$1400. This places it in a vastly different category from the current $299 Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
Intriguingly, Meta is reportedly positioning Hypernova as “mid-range.” This label seems confusing given the price, but likely refers to its place in Meta’s internal roadmap – more advanced than current models, but less capable than their future, true augmented reality (AR) glasses project, codenamed “Orion.” In the current market, Hypernova looks set to compete against display-centric glasses like those from Rokid, which focus on text and simple visuals, rather than full AR overlays.
The “Ceres” Neural Wristband Wildcard
Adding another layer to the story is the potential bundling of Hypernova with a sophisticated “neural wristband” controller, codenamed “Ceres.” This device was initially developed for the more ambitious Orion project. Its possible inclusion with Hypernova could signal Meta bringing advanced input methods to market sooner, but could also be a key driver behind that hefty price tag. The reports suggest this bundling is still under consideration.
Why Hypernova Matters
While official details are pending, the Hypernova leaks paint a picture of Meta strategically evolving its smart glasses offering. It marks a significant step beyond passive capture and audio towards an interactive, visually-enhanced wearable computing platform. If these reports hold true, Hypernova could represent Meta’s attempt to carve out a viable niche between basic smart glasses and the still-nascent, high-end AR market, setting the stage for its future ambitions.