Laugh Cry! This year's Meta Connect conference: "A big surprise"

On September 18, ZhDongxi reported that this morning, the "Annual XR Circle Spring Festival Gala" Meta Connect conference officially kicked off! AI glasses are the absolute main character of this launch event, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg jogging into the venue wearing AI glasses and unveiling three new products in one go.

Ray-Ban Meta (second generation) AI glasses have seen significant improvements in battery life and imaging capabilities, making them more suitable for daily wear. Oakley Meta AI glasses focus on sports scenarios, serving as both headphones and action cameras, and are integrated with sports equipment and software from Garmin and Strava.

▲Above is Ray-Ban Meta (second generation), below is Oakley Meta

The Meta Ray-Ban Display AI glasses, equipped with a display, can be considered the strongest AI glasses in Meta's history. The combination of these glasses with the wristband Neural Band marks a bold attempt at a new interaction method, allowing users to input and control without touching the device, relying instead on subtle muscle movements in the wrist.

▲Neural Band wristband scenario display

The starting price for Ray-Ban Meta (second generation) is $379 (approximately RMB 2,692.3), the starting price for Oakley Meta is $499 (approximately RMB 3,544.7), while the package of Meta Ray-Ban Display + Neural Band starts at $799 (approximately RMB 5,675.8).

However, compared to the cool new products and features, what stood out more at this launch event was perhaps the continuous failures of the new AI functions: AI answering off-topic, Neural Band malfunctioning, and various glitches forced Zuckerberg to squeeze out an awkward yet polite smile, attributing the issues to the on-site Wi-Fi network.

In addition to hardware, Meta also launched a newly upgraded Horizon engine, enhancing the ability to build virtual worlds. From scanning real spaces in minutes to quickly generating immersive virtual environments, Horizon is described by Zuckerberg as "the infrastructure framework of the metaverse." With the expansion of content and partners, Meta aims to make the integration of the virtual world and the real world truly within reach

01. AI Glasses Take Off! Major Update to Classic Ray-Ban Meta, but AI Features Face Disaster

"The takeoff of AI glasses is no surprise!"

Before the official start of the launch event, Mark Zuckerberg reiterated his confidence in the form of AI glasses, calling them an ideal carrier for personal superintelligence. AI glasses will not affect users' sensory experiences, but can see what you see, hear what you hear, and communicate directly with users in natural language.

The goal of Meta's development of AI glasses is to create a pair of aesthetically pleasing glasses that incorporate personal superintelligence and feature real holographic displays. Zuckerberg stated that the sales curve of AI glasses is similar to that of the most popular consumer electronics products in history.

Zuckerberg also shared three key principles in designing AI glasses: first, the glasses themselves must be beautiful, comfortable, and lightweight; second, technology needs to take a backseat to the experience itself, meaning it should not interfere with people's daily lives; finally, prioritize superintelligence, allowing AI to solve the most critical problems in life.

After discussing the concepts, the main event officially began!

As the world's best-selling AI glasses, Ray-Ban Meta has received a significant upgrade.

First, its battery life has doubled; a fully charged Ray-Ban Meta (second generation) glasses can last up to 8 hours of regular use.

It only takes 20 minutes to charge the Ray-Ban Meta (second generation) glasses to 50%, and these glasses come with a charging case that provides an additional 48 hours of battery life.

In terms of camera capabilities, the Ray-Ban Meta (second generation) glasses feature 3K ultra HD video recording and are equipped with ultra-wide HDR, with a frame rate of 60 frames per second, though it remains unclear how ultra HD recording will impact battery life.

In addition to the already launched real-time translation feature, the Ray-Ban Meta (second generation) glasses will also have a new "Conversation Focus" feature, which can directly "increase the volume" of the friend speaking to you in noisy environments, providing a clearer face-to-face communication experience.

Zuckerberg also showcased the improved Live AI feature, stating that with the continuous enhancement of battery life, Meta AI will no longer be just a function that users actively invoke, but will transform into a service that is always on standby.

However, the definition of "always" is quite nuanced. Zuckerberg mentioned that they are still tackling the related technology, and currently, it can only be used continuously for 1-2 hours Mark Zuckerberg remotely connected with a staff member to demonstrate how the Live AI feature can help users cook. However, the Live AI feature only recognized the ingredients on the table and failed to provide correct answers when the staff member repeatedly asked how to process the ingredients.

The two of them tacitly blamed this issue on the Wi-Fi network, with Zuckerberg complaining that Meta spent several years developing the relevant technology, only to have it fail at a critical moment due to Wi-Fi issues.

The starting price for the Ray-Ban Meta (second generation) glasses is $379 (approximately RMB 2,692.3), offering various frame and color designs, along with two limited edition transparent versions.

02. 3,545 yuan! The new Oakley Meta smart glasses can automatically record sports videos and are linked with Garmin

Following that, the new Oakley Meta smart glasses have also arrived, priced at $499 (approximately RMB 3,544.7), and will be available as early as October 21.

The new Oakley Meta smart glasses can support a full marathon on a single charge. Zuckerberg mentioned that these glasses even had remaining battery life after completing two full marathons, but did not specify whether this was based on the time of the first place finisher or the cutoff time.

The Oakley Meta smart glasses feature open-ear headphones, and Zuckerberg stated that they are equipped with Meta's strongest speakers to date, with a volume increase of 6 decibels, ensuring clear call quality even in windy conditions.

The lenses of these glasses are centrally located, featuring a 122° ultra-wide angle, capable of shooting 3K quality videos, and equipped with video stabilization. Additionally, Meta has added slow-motion and time-lapse photography features to these glasses, which will be synchronized with all smart glasses released today.

In terms of sports, Meta has collaborated with the sports smart wearable brand Garmin, and the Oakley Meta smart glasses come with built-in LED indicators that help users maintain their target pace or heart rate zone through peripheral vision reminders.

During exercise, users can also use voice commands to activate Meta to start video recording or check their exercise data at any time.

The new glasses also come with an automatic recording feature. When users wear Garmin smartwatches while exercising, the glasses will automatically record video when specific speed and distance intervals are reached (for example, after completing a mile in a marathon). After the workout, the system will automatically compile the video clips.

At the same time, Meta is collaborating with Strava, allowing users to overlay Strava workout data on the video footage, making it perfect for fitness and sports influencers.

Zuckerberg stated that the new glasses are Meta's most waterproof smart glasses, achieving an IP67 protection rating, making them completely resistant to getting wet, and they can even be worn while surfing.

The lenses of the Oakley Meta smart glasses use a replaceable Oakley Prism lens system, allowing users to change the lens color according to lighting conditions or style preferences.

03. Screen Glasses + Neural Band Black Technology Debuts, Tap Control Possible with Hands in Pockets

The most anticipated new product at this launch event is Meta's first mass-produced, released AI glasses with a screen.

Before Zuckerberg even entered the venue, he demonstrated features like music playback with these glasses. Once he walked into the event, he kept the audience in suspense by placing the glasses aside and talking for nearly 20 minutes before officially revealing them.

The official name of these screen AI glasses is Meta Ray-Ban Display. Zuckerberg mentioned that they are not a prototype and that users will be able to purchase them in a few weeks.

Meta Ray-Ban Display has two major innovations.

First, in terms of display, these glasses are equipped with a custom optical engine that provides full-color, high-resolution holographic display. The display is located on the side of the user's field of vision and only appears when needed, without obstructing the view.

Zuckerberg stated that the display quality is high enough to watch videos and check messages, with a brightness of up to 5000 nits.

The Meta-Rayban Display also features a new interaction method—the Meta Neural Band. This is an electromyography (EMG) wristband that can convert signals generated by muscle activity into commands In the demonstration, Zuckerberg used the Neural Band to perform touch, tap, and other operations, and even wrote messages directly with it. He used his finger as a "pen" to quickly write a message on the table and sent it without touching the glasses or taking out his phone. It is said that little Zuck has practiced to achieve a typing speed of 30 words per minute.

The Neural Band does not require special adaptation; it is the result of Meta's research over the past few years involving more than 200,000 participants, making it suitable for almost everyone. For those who cannot make large movements or have finger disabilities, muscle signals from the wrist can also provide control signals.

The combination of display and Neural Band unlocks many new features. For example, users can view text messages and multimedia messages simply by pinching their hand, and they can also answer real-time video calls.

However, this feature also encountered issues during the live demonstration, as Zuckerberg's right hand repeatedly attempted to grab in the air but ultimately failed to connect the call. This demonstration lasted over a minute and became somewhat awkward.

The Meta-Rayban Display also offers real-time subtitles and translation features. The subtitle function transcribes the sounds heard in real-time, which is very helpful for individuals with hearing impairments. The real-time translation function places the translation results directly in front of the user's eyes.

However, these features are already quite common in domestic AI glasses, and it remains to be seen whether Meta can provide a better experience with its self-developed translation model.

In mixed-use scenarios, the Meta-Rayban Display can provide about 6 hours of battery life and can be folded into a flat charging glasses case, offering a total battery life of up to 30 hours. In terms of pricing, the package of Meta-Rayban Display and Neural Band starts at $799 (approximately RMB 5,675.8).

04. Scanning the real world into the virtual world in minutes, the metaverse is closer!

In addition to the glasses, Zuckerberg also introduced the Meta Horizon engine, which can create 3D virtual reality content scenes.

Zuckerberg stated that this engine has been fully optimized and is designed to realize the vision of the metaverse: faster loading speeds, better graphics rendering, and more convenient creation processes.

Users can easily create infinitely interconnected virtual spaces, experiencing highly realistic physical effects and interactive experiences. Specifically, users only need to scan a room with the Quest headset for a few minutes to transform it into an immersive virtual world. In the future, this engine will also seamlessly integrate Hyper State virtual scenes with the real world, connecting everything to a unified Horizon ecosystem

Meta showcased a virtual world rendered entirely by the Meta Horizon engine, featuring a remarkably realistic Eiffel Tower, marking a significant leap in visual performance compared to previous iterations.

In just a few seconds, users can teleport directly from their home to a series of interconnected worlds. The new engine has increased the scene loading and rendering speed in the metaverse by over four times, making world transitions as seamless as loading a webpage, enhancing the interconnected experience of the metaverse.

The Horizon engine also supports higher concurrency, allowing five times more users to inhabit the same virtual world, all able to attend concerts in the virtual space without the fear of missing out on tickets.

Zuckerberg stated that Horizon Studio and the Meta Horizon engine together form the foundational framework of the metaverse, with opportunities to experience these upgrades in smart glasses and social media platforms in the future.

Additionally, Horizon TV has expanded with new games and video content, and Zuckerberg excitedly announced that Disney+ will be available on Horizon TV, with Universal Pictures also partnering with Meta.

05. Conclusion: Meta Connect Conference as the Main Stage for Smart Glasses, Zuckerberg Mentioned Large Models Zero Times

After reading the entire piece, does it feel like something is missing? That's right, Zuckerberg did not mention the Llama model at all during the one-hour Connect conference—not a single word.

Since the release of Llama 4 on April 5, 2025, Meta has not launched any officially named minor updates, aside from providing experimental updates in the Llama API.

This isn't surprising, as there have been numerous "tabloid news" reports about Meta's establishment of a super-intelligence department, poaching talent, and ongoing conflicts between long-time employees and new hires, suggesting that internal development is likely still in a transitional phase.

This year's Meta Connect conference was the main stage for smart glasses, aligning with previous leaks, where new Ray-Ban Meta, Oakley Meta smart glasses, and Meta Ray-Ban Display AI glasses were unveiled.

These three new products reflect advancements and breakthroughs in the smart glasses industry, bringing AI glasses closer to becoming truly practical and widely used everyday devices.

However, Zuckerberg's live demonstration of AI features faced significant issues, exposing ongoing problems with stability and accuracy in current technology applications, which may be one reason why Meta AI has been "shelved."

Source: Zhisheng Dongxi, Original Title: "Laugh Cry! This Meta Connect Conference: 'A Big Surprise'"