Meta Launches USD 499 Oakley Smart Glasses for Athletes
- tech360.tv
- Sep 18
- 3 min read
Meta has introduced Oakley-branded smart glasses for athletes, priced at USD 499. These new glasses, named Oakley Meta Vanguard, feature a centred action camera, louder speakers, and improved water resistance.
The Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses expand Meta's wearables line beyond the successful Ray-Ban series. They integrate with Meta's AI app and fitness platforms such as Garmin and Strava.
This integration delivers real-time training statistics and post-workout summaries for users. The glasses offer nine hours of battery life.
The new device will roll out first in countries including the U.S. and Canada, beginning Oct. 21. It was unveiled at Meta's annual Connect conference.
At the same conference, Meta is also expected to launch its first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in display. These glasses will likely be named Celeste.
Celeste glasses are anticipated to pair with Meta's first wristband for hand-gesture controls. Analysts noted their expected USD 800 price might deter some buyers.
CNBC reported the Celeste glasses could feature Prada branding; CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared to wear a pair on stage before putting them away. Celeste is expected to include a small digital display in the right lens for basic tasks such as notifications.
These glasses will also offer features found on existing Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses, including an AI assistant, cameras, hands-free control, and livestreaming to Meta's social media platforms. The launches signify Meta's latest effort to remain competitive in the AI race, where it trails rivals like OpenAI and Google.
Earlier this year, Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg initiated a "billion-dollar talent war" to attract engineers from competitors. He has also pledged to invest tens of billions of dollars in AI chips.
For Mr. Zuckerberg, smart glasses represent the ideal device for superintelligence, a concept where artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence in all aspects. While experts debate when superintelligence might be achieved, analysts suggest Meta's new glasses are a step towards its "Orion" prototype.
The Orion prototype, unveiled last year, is planned for a 2027 launch and described by Mr. Zuckerberg as "the time machine to the future." The Connect conference, held at Meta's Menlo Park, California, headquarters, occurs amidst scrutiny over the company’s handling of child safety on its social media platforms.
Reuters reported in Aug. that Meta chatbots engaged children in provocative conversations about sex and race. Whistleblowers also claimed earlier this month that researchers were instructed not to study the harms of virtual reality to children.
Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers, noted, “It wasn’t long ago that consumers were introduced to AI on glasses and in recent quarters brands have also begun to include displays, enabling new use cases.” Mr. Ubrani added, “However, consumer awareness and product availability of AI glasses with display remains limited. This will change as Meta, Google, and others launch products in the next 18 months.”
IDC forecasts that worldwide shipments of augmented reality/virtual reality headsets and display-less smart glasses will increase by 39.2% in 2025, reaching 14.3 million units. Meta is expected to drive much of this growth, largely due to demand for its Ray-Ban glasses, produced with EssilorLuxottica.
Meta launched Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses for USD 499, featuring an action camera, louder speakers, and improved water resistance.
The glasses integrate with Meta's AI app and fitness platforms, offering real-time training statistics, and will launch in the U.S. and Canada on Oct. 21.
Meta is also expected to unveil Celeste smart glasses with a built-in display, potentially priced at USD 800 and featuring Prada branding.
Source: REUTERS