Meta Ray-Ban Display Smart Glasses See International Launch Delayed

Meta has announced a delay in the international release of its advanced Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses. The company revealed the product has "extremely limited inventory" and is a one-of-a-kind offering.

Credit: META

Since launching last fall, Meta has experienced "an overwhelming amount of interest," resulting in product waitlists that "now extend well into 2026," the company stated. The smart glasses had been anticipated to become available in more locations in the coming weeks and months.

Credit: META

"Because of this unprecedented demand and limited inventory, we’ve decided to pause our planned international expansion to the UK, France, Italy, and Canada, which was originally scheduled for early 2026," Meta explained. The company intends to "continue to focus on fulfilling orders in the US while we re-evaluate our approach to international availability."

The Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses cost USD 799. These glasses are part of a range that includes the popular Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta specifications, and are the first within that range to feature a smart display integrated into the lens.

The delay coincides with Meta announcing new features for the smart glasses. One such feature is Teleprompter, which presents a script or notes directly in the user’s eyeline. Script cards can be scrolled using the Neural Band accessory for navigation.

Another new capability is Handwriting, allowing users to scribble messages with a finger on any surface. These messages are then transcribed into digital format and can be sent via WhatsApp and Messenger.

Pedestrian navigation is also being rolled out for four additional cities: Denver, Las Vegas, Portland, and Salt Lake City. This expansion aims to enhance ease of movement for users on foot, adding to the 28 cities already covered.

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• Meta has delayed the international release of its Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses due to overwhelming demand and limited stock.

• Product waitlists for the smart glasses now extend into 2026.

• Planned expansion to the UK, France, Italy, and Canada has been paused.

Source: FORBES

Warner Bros Discovery Investors Divided Over Paramount, Netflix Acquisition Bids

Some major investors in Warner Bros Discovery are divided over a sweetened offer from Paramount Skydance for the storied movie studio owner. The Warner Bros Discovery board considers the Paramount proposal inferior to its existing agreement with Netflix.

Credit: PARAMOUNT

Paramount Skydance's latest proposal is valued at USD 108.4 billion, offering USD 30 per share. While Netflix, the creator of “Stranger Things,” offered USD 27.75 per share, totalling USD 82.7 billion, Warner Bros Discovery stated Netflix’s financing is more solid.

The board also noted that Paramount’s deal would result in excessive debt for the merged organisation. Warner Bros Discovery indicated the Paramount offer would not cover the USD 2.8 billion breakup fee owed to Netflix, the USD 1.5 billion in fees to its bankers, or the USD 350 million in financing costs.

The combined company would face USD 87 billion in debt under the Paramount deal, according to Warner Bros Discovery. Alex Fitch, partner and portfolio manager for Harris Oakmark, which held approximately 96 million shares, or four percent, of Warner Bros Discovery, agrees with the board’s assessment.

“The value still is not clearly superior to what has already been agreed to with Netflix,” Fitch commented, adding, “A tie goes to the incumbent.” Chief Investment Officer Yussef Gheriani of IHT Wealth Management, which holds approximately 16,000 Warner Bros Discovery shares, supported the board’s rejection.

Gheriani explained that the overall value increase might not justify the breakup fees and borrowing costs. Conversely, Matthew Halbower of Pentwater Capital Management, which reported owning more than 50 million shares, expressed a differing view.

Halbower informed Warner Bros Discovery Chairman Samuel DiPiazza in a letter that the board “breached its fiduciary duty” to shareholders by rejecting Paramount’s offer. He contended it was a superior deal with a higher likelihood of regulatory approval.

The Warner Bros Discovery board "Is choosing not to inquire about what improvements Paramount is willing to make to its offer,” Halbower wrote in the letter. He added that if Paramount further improves its USD 30-per-share offer, the board should engage with the suitor, otherwise his firm would not support any Warner Bros Discovery directors at their upcoming election.

Mario Gabelli, whose Gabelli Funds holds approximately 5.7 million Warner Bros Discovery shares, stated he is “likely” to sell his shares to Paramount. He believes Paramount’s all-cash offer is more straightforward and offers a faster path to regulatory approval.

“At the moment, Paramount has a superior bid,” Gabelli told CNBC, adding, “Netflix has to simplify its bid.” Harris Oakmark, the fifth-largest shareholder in Warner Bros Discovery, remains open to changing its position.

“If they come back to the table with a clearly superior offer,” Fitch said, “we have full confidence that the WBD board will engage.” Warner Bros Discovery, owning HBO Max, is considered a marquee media asset, which rarely comes to market.

Credit: HULU

Its extensive content library includes “Harry Potter” and the DC Comics universe. Its HBO Max streaming service recently acquired the U.S. and Australian distribution rights to the Canadian hockey romance “Heated Rivalry.”

Vanguard, State Street, and BlackRock are the top three shareholders in Warner Bros Discovery, collectively controlling approximately 22%. These fund managers are also among the top ten investors in both Paramount and Netflix. All three firms declined to comment.

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• Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) investors are divided on a sweetened acquisition offer from Paramount Skydance.

• The WBD board rejected Paramount's USD 108.4 billion offer, preferring Netflix's USD 82.7 billion bid due to more solid financing and less debt.

• Board supporters cite significant breakup fees, banker fees, and financing costs that Paramount's offer would not cover, alongside high debt levels.

  
  

Source: REUTERS

Volkswagen Taps Qualcomm for Future Infotainment Technology

Volkswagen plans a long-term supply deal with U.S. chip designer Qualcomm to deliver infotainment technology for the German carmaker's new software platform, having signed a letter of intent to make Qualcomm the primary tech provider. This collaboration aims to enhance future vehicle capabilities.

Credit: Volkswagen

Qualcomm will supply high-performance system-on-chips, specifically for infotainment features, beginning in 2027. Both companies have signed a letter of intent to establish Qualcomm as the primary technology provider for the platform.

Credit: Volkswagen

Volkswagen is developing this advanced software platform in partnership with U.S. company Rivian. The two organisations are currently conducting winter tests on the platform, ensuring its robust performance.

A significant USD 1 billion investment from Volkswagen hinges on the completion of key technological milestones this year. This joint venture is a critical component of Volkswagen's strategy to compete effectively with rivals such as BYD and Tesla.

The first vehicles utilising software from this partnership are scheduled for launch in 2027, commencing with the electric ID.Every1 model. These new 'software-defined vehicles' are designed to be controlled by central computers, relying on high-performance chips for their operation.

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• Volkswagen plans a long-term supply deal with Qualcomm for infotainment technology, having signed a letter of intent to make Qualcomm the primary tech provider.

• Qualcomm will provide high-performance system-on-chips starting in 2027.

• Volkswagen is developing the software platform with U.S. partner Rivian.

Source: REUTERS