Meta’s next big thing is a pair of smart glasses controlled by your mind (sort of)

Meta’s annual Connect conference kicks off next week on September 17th, and the company is preparing to unleash its next major hardware push. The main event is expected to be the debut of two new pairs of smart glasses: an updated version of its popular Ray-Ban Meta glasses and a brand-new, high-end model codenamed “Hypernova.” This new device will be Meta’s first to feature a heads-up display and will reportedly be controlled by a futuristic neural wristband that can read your hand gestures.

A new vision: ‘Hypernova’ and its neural wristband

The star of the show will undoubtedly be the next-generation smart glasses, referred to internally as “Hypernova” or “Celeste.” This will be Meta’s first consumer-ready pair of glasses with a built-in display, though it’s not expected to be a full augmented reality experience like its ambitious Orion prototypes. Instead, the small display will likely show notifications, turn-by-turn directions, and other contextual information.

The most significant leap forward may be the device’s control scheme. The glasses are expected to be paired with a dedicated wristband that uses electromyography (EMG) to sense the electrical signals in your arm muscles, allowing you to control the interface with subtle hand gestures like pinches and taps. The technology, which Meta demoed in a research capacity last year, could represent a major new paradigm for interacting with wearables.

This premium experience will come with a premium price. Reports suggest the Hypernova glasses will cost around $800 and may be sold with Prada branding, continuing Meta’s partnership with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica. Some rumors even suggest the EMG band could be integrated into a new Meta-built smartwatch launched alongside the glasses.

The Ray-Bans get an important refresh

For those not ready to spend nearly a grand on face-worn tech, Meta is also expected to announce the third generation of its more conventional Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. While these won’t have a display, they are rumored to receive some much-needed practical upgrades.

The new Ray-Bans will likely feature significantly improved battery life and higher-quality cameras, potentially with 3K video capabilities similar to the recently released Oakley version. Enhanced AI features, building on the “Hey Meta” functionality that allows for voice commands and visual analysis, are also a safe bet.

It’s still an AI show

Artificial intelligence will be a dominant theme throughout the conference. CEO Mark Zuckerberg will almost certainly highlight that Meta AI now has over a billion monthly users. We expect to see new AI features for both the glasses and Meta’s apps, including a potential push into non-English speaking “character-driven” bots.

However, Zuckerberg may also need to temper expectations. While he has reorganized the company to pursue “superintelligence,” its flagship large language model, Llama 4, has reportedly been delayed as engineers struggle with improvements.

The metaverse isn’t dead, it’s just getting AI NPCs

While AI has stolen the spotlight, it wouldn’t be a Connect event without news from the metaverse. No new Quest headsets are expected this year, but Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth has teased software updates for Horizon Worlds. The company recently previewed its plans to bring AI-powered non-player characters (NPCs) to its virtual spaces, and we’ll likely hear more about how generative AI will be used to build out the metaverse.

Updates on third-party headsets running Meta’s Horizon OS are also possible. Last year, Meta announced that ASUS, Lenovo, and Xbox were working on devices, and a leak suggested an ASUS model could be the first to launch. Meta is also facing increased competition in the space, with Amazon reportedly developing its own “Jayhawk” AR glasses for consumers, targeting a late 2026 or 2027 release.