Meta Connect 2025 live updates — ‘Hypernova’ smart glasses, Ray-Ban Meta 3 and all the news as it happens

In early August, Meta Reality Labs and Stanford University revealed a prototype set of glasses that featured a holographic XR display.

Based on the cyberpunk image above, we’re not exactly close to that future, but it’s one step closer to an eventual reality.

I am curious if Meta will discuss this prototype during any of the developer sessions or other breakouts during Connect.

Smart glasses are rapidly evolving, and I wonder how long it will take before we’ve stepped past augmented reality into mixed reality, which currently requires non-transparent optics.

Amazon is reportedly designing a set of AR glasses. Several companies already make AR glasses, and a few have landed on our list of the best smart glasses. These include offerings like the Viture Luma Pro, Xreal One Pro, and the Rokid Air Lite.

And rivals like Google and Samsung are coming out with their own versions like the Xreal produced Project Aura, an Android XR-powered pair of glasses and the Project Haean glasses.

Snap is supposed to launch its fifth-generation Spectacles in 2026.

This feature recently came to fore thanks to a viral TikTok video about an aesthetician who wore Meta glasses during an appointment freaking out an influencer.

While there are ways to get around it, you can tell when Ray-Bans are recording thanks to the LED light that turns on when the camera is filming.

There are also audio sounds that indicate when recording has stopped and started.

From what I can see, the camera built to the nose bridge is more similar to what Xreal is doing with its Xreal Eye Camera that attaches to the Xreal One Pro.

The centered shooter is definitely ideal for first-person images. Reportedly going to be marketed to cyclists and other athletes like the skiers and runners shown in the ad.

The Sphaera glasses do not have a display, but should have the camera, speakers and a microphone.

Meta has already knocked it out of the park with its consistent support for Meta AI on its Ray-Ban Meta glasses, delivering an ever-expanding suite of multi-modal AI features for users. Follow that with the improved battery compared to the Oakley HSTN Meta smart glasses (up to eight hours), and it’s looking like the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 are ready for major upgrades.

The current Ray-Ban Metas, along with the Oakley Metas, have access to Meta AI for vocal queries, live translation and can make calls or texts when connected to a smartphone. Those AI features continue to expand, but the Gen 3 pair may take this to new heights.

As per The Information, Meta will deliver a Live AI upgrade, allowing the smart spec’s AI to “see what its user does and respond in real-time, for hours.” That, and it may have the ability to recognize faces thanks to this always-on AI, as reported by UploadVR. This is apparently known as “super sensing,” allowing users to recall past faces and items, like finding out where you left your wallet.

With the latest Snapdragon AR1+ chip from Qualcomm, along with its joint venture with VoxelSensors that provides up to 10x power savings with lower latency using XR apps in smart glasses and advancing Physical AI, this could be possible in the Ray-Ban Meta 3 glasses.

Speaking of, with the upgraded battery life in the Oakley smart specs, taking it from the Ray-Bans’ six hours to eight hours, that’s a good sign we’ll be seeing better battery life, too. With an all-new chip powered by the aforementioned Snapdragon, we hope to see this blow way past this.

Of course, only time will tell, but it will need to deliver all the features we’d expect to see from Android XR smart glasses from Google, and the upcoming Snap Spectacles.

The most interesting device is the Display glasses, which aren’t true AR specs like the Meta Orion glasses, but should have a heads-up display that will be in one of the lenses. This HUD would show Meta AI and notifications, and could potentially be paired with a wristband for finger-swipe controls.

In the video, a small display appears to be on the right lens and shows things such as navigation and recipe instructions. Another part of the video shows someone using their finger to type on a virtual keyboard, which would seem to confirm that the glasses will use surface electromyography (sEMG) technology to translate hand movements into device controls.

It’s possible that this could be the rumored Meta Hypernova specs that are supposed to debut at Meta Connect. In mid-August, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the Hypernova glasses will cost around $800.

Meta Connect 2025 seems like it will primarily focus on smart glasses, which could mean we won’t see the long-rumored Meta Quest 4. With leaks of Meta smart glasses indicating it’s pushed back the Quest 4 headset until a later date, along with a “high-end model that could eventually become a successor to the Quest Pro mixed-reality headset,” according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, it may be a while until we see what CEO Mark Zuckerberg has up his sleeve for its next VR headset.

According to leakers Brad Lynch and Luna on X, Meta looks to switch the launch of the Quest 4 from next year to 2027 in favor of its new smart glasses. While that’s disappointing, perhaps we’ll get some sort of announcement or even hint as to what we can expect from the Meta Quest 4. That might be wishful thinking, but you never know!

Depending on what powers the Ray-Ban Meta Display or possibly upgraded Ray-Ban Meta specs, we could see a boost in battery. For one, The Information claimed Meta will deliver a Live AI upgrade, allowing the smart spec’s AI to “see what its user does and respond in real-time, for hours.” That’s already a good sign, but with the latest Snapdragon AR1+ chip from Qualcomm, along with its joint venture with VoxelSensors that provides up to 10x power savings, battery life could soar.

The longer we’re able to use Meta’s yet-to-be-announced smart glasses, the better. But I can imagine having a waveguide display on the lens can really drain that battery, so we’ll have to wait and see.

The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 AI glasses are expected to be announced, with CNBC stating that a “third generation of its voice-only smart glasses with Luxottica” lenses are set to arrive. That, and a group named XR Research Institute (via UploadVR) claimed two models will be on the way, including sunglasses codenamed “Aperol” and prescription eyewear called “Bellini.”

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These “Aperol” and “Bellini” style options (above) don’t appear to be shown in the leaked video, but that doesn’t mean an updated version of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses aren’t coming.

We’ve also heard that Meta will deliver a Live AI upgrade, allowing the smart spec’s AI to “see what its user does and respond in real-time, for hours,” as per The Information. That, and it may have the ability to recognize faces thanks to this always-on AI, as reported by UploadVR. This is apparently known as “super sensing,” allowing users to recall past faces and items, like finding out where you left your wallet.

Along with these “Ray-Ban Meta Display” glasses, there’s reason to believe there may be another update to the usual Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

Shown in the video leak, we got a look at the next-gen glasses sporting a simple, yet familiar, black frame with a Meta logo on its temple and a camera. This is similar to the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer style, just with a thicker frame.

However, unlike the current Ray-Ban Metas, which offer several frame types like Wayfarer, Headliner and Round with different lenses, the Display model appears to come in a single style. Whether these will also offer prescription lenses? We’ll find out from Zuckerberg during the keynote, surely.

When data mining through the most recent Public Test of Meta’s Horizon OS, UploadVR found a few features that could be coming to Quest headsets. That includes new home environments to hang out in with other people, familiar areas that have been rebuilt from the ground up, the option to pin 2D apps for all to see and a new social hub for interacting with others.

For those who spend time using Meta Quest’s social features, this will be a handy update, but there may be more announced during the keynote for all things Meta Quest (if there’s time after all the smart glasses announcements), and I’m hoping for some gaming news, too.

Recently, our own Jason England got to try Snap OS 2.0, which will run on the upcoming Snap Spectacles for consumers next year, and it’s a true look at AR and AI coming hand-in-hand in smart glasses. With its apps like Spatial Tips that use multimodal AI to understand what it sees and give you advice around it, and its Translation Lens for live translation on display, it’s an impressive feat.

Now, with the rumored Ray-Ban Meta Display smart glasses, Meta may beat Snapchat to the punch. As seen in the leaked video, Meta’s smart specs also include Live Translation and Meta AI to see what you see and understand what’s in front of you.

If they’re revealed during the Meta Connect 2025 event, there’s a chance they will launch before the end of 2025. In any case, we’ll have to see exactly what these next-gen smart specs from Meta deliver.

Back in August, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the Hypernova glasses will cost around $799. That’s higher than the current Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses from $299, and the $499 Oakley Meta HSTN specs. Somewhat understandable, though, considering this comes with a display.

Moreover, reports are pointing to Meta only shipping 150,000 units, so if you want a pair, it’s best to act fast! Apparently, this is due to a lower demand for the specs because of the price. But think of it like Meta doing a trial run of how consumers react to these smart glasses with a display.

Well, not completely unlike the Rokid AI/AR smart glasses we tried or even the Even Realities G1 specs, these upgraded Ray-Bans will be able to show map navigation, recipe options, live translation and even texts that can be replied to via the sEMG wristband right on the lens.

This takes the AR capabilities in the smart glasses to a new level, though, seeing how it incorporates Meta AI visually. Plus, from what’s shown in the video leak, you’re getting full-color visuals here with images shown, too.

There’s still way more to find out, but we could see dedicated apps coming with the glasses, almost like a lightweight version of Meta Horizon. We may also get a simplistic six-app grid that users can interact with using the wristband.

According to the Meta Connect 2025 event page on the Meta Horizon website, Mark Zuckerberg’s big keynote will give us an “in-depth look at the latest in AI, virtual reality and wearables.” Wearables, you say? That’s highly likely to refer to its smart glasses, but what if Meta’s long-rumored smartwatch is coming, too?

As previously reported, a DigiTimes report claimed Meta is “reviving” its smartwatch plans and developing a new wearable with a potential built-in camera lens, and it’s geared to work alongside its upcoming smart glasses — and that’s looking to be the leaked Ray-Ban Meta Display (possibly “Hypernova”).

However, what this may be instead is the now-leaked sEMG wristband that’s shown in the video. So, less smartwatch, more actual wristband that we’ve seen with the Meta Project Orion specs.

But who knows, we may see this Meta smartwatch finally take shape at the Connect 2025 keynote after all. If it does end up arriving, think of it like an evolved version of the once-rumored Facebook smartwatch with two cameras.

Thanks to the leaked video, the Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses may finally get more styles. It appears like a more sporty option with a wrap-around design, geared towards a more active lifestyle.

Rumored to be the Oakley Meta Sphaera glasses, it’s leaning towards the design of the Oakley Stunt Devil, so I expect to see these being worn for sports, like skiing or cycling.

Moreover, the video also shows a more transparent design, like the transparent Ray-Ban Meta. We’ll see more of what’s to come, but at the very least, it’s looking like more design options!

Remember Meta announcing a partnership with Asus ROG to develop a “performance gaming headset” in 2024? We have yet to see that device, and Meta Connect 2025 could be a good time for Asus to show off its all-new VR headset.

Earlier this year, the Asus ROG VR headset, codenamed “Tarius,” was rumored to be the first third-party headset to ship with Meta Horizon OS. Just like the Meta Quest 3 and 3S, it would offer familiar features, menus and even VR games. Apparently, it’s set to include eye-tracking and face-tracking, with either QD-LCD or micro-OLED displays.

Asus has been on a roll with partnerships, recently with its ROG Xbox Ally. If a new VR headset is due to be revealed at Meta Connect 2025, Asus may have a lot to do with it.

During the last Meta Connect showcase, we saw the Meta Quest 3S be announced, which was a big deal since it made the entry point to VR far more affordable. Does Meta have another Quest headset up its sleeve? Unfortunately for VR fans, it’s not looking likely.

This year, Meta appears to be focused on all things smart glasses. That’s for good reason, as the Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses already look to impress. However, hopes of a Meta Quest 4 appearing are dwindling, as it’s rumored to arrive in 2027. According to leakers Brad Lynch and Luna on X, Meta looks to switch the launch of the Quest 4 from next year to 2027 in favor of its new smart specs.

Of course, we won’t know until Zuckerberg spills the beans during the keynote, but perhaps there may be another VR headset on the way instead…

Now that the “Hypernova” smart glasses may be the next-gen Ray-Ban Meta Display specs, there’s a chance these will be the big Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 update that’s been talked about. So, what kind of designs can we expect?

According to the video, the Ray-Ban Meta Display looks to come in one style, featuring a more traditional Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer appeal that are slightly thicker and (likely) heavier. According to previous reports, these would weigh around 70 grams, 20 more than the current Ray-Ban Metas.

That’s similar to the design of the Meta “Hypernova” smart specs that leaked, which also showed the wristband that translates hand movements into on-screen device controls.

Perhaps more designs will be revealed on the stage, and we’ll find out more during Meta Connect 2025.

Well, we now have a taste of what’s to come at Meta Connect 2025, all thanks to an unlisted YouTube video from Meta themselves. It’s now removed from the channel, but reliable leaker SadlyitsBradley was able to share it.

In the video, which appears to be an ad for the latest smart glasses coming, several specs were shown off, including the usual suspects such as the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses and Ray-Ban Meta glasses. More importantly, we got a look at the Ray-Ban Meta Display smart glasses.

With the small display that appears on the right lens, showing navigation, recipe instructions and even a way to type using the shown sEMG wristband, this is looking to be the “Hypernova” smart glasses that’s been rumored.

Will we also see updated Ray-Ban Meta 3 smart glasses? We’ll find out more at the event.

We’ve lined up five huge announcements we expect to see at Meta Connect 2025, but we may see a few surprises in there, too.