Mark Zuckerberg is already picturing a world where we’ll slide a pair of glasses onto our faces instead of reaching into our pockets for a phone. His partnership with Ray-Ban has taken off far better than many sceptics expected, and now Meta is preparing to go further—new designs, smarter features, and even glasses with built-in displays.
He thought he was rescuing a sheep—but it turned out to be something else
This bizarre French customer habit is driving shop owners crazy
The company is betting on variety to win over different kinds of users. According to Bloomberg, several new models are in the works under the codename Supernova. The “Supernova 2,” styled after Oakley’s Sphaera line, is set to land this year, targeting sporty types. Think cyclists who want music, calls and even a camera on the go, all tucked into a sleek pair of frames. Thanks to AI integration, they’ll do more than just look the part.
But the real attention-grabber is “Hypernova.” This high-end model will feature a tiny screen tucked inside the right lens, displaying notifications, app info or photo previews. It’s not quite sci-fi augmented reality, but it’s a bold step towards it. The catch? At around $1,000, they’re hardly in the same bracket as the $300 entry-level Ray-Ban version.
Building the bridge to augmented reality
If Hypernova feels futuristic, Meta’s ambitions stretch much further. The company has already shown off a prototype called Orion, a proper augmented reality headset revealed last September. Unlike the Ray-Ban series, Orion demands extra kit: a wristband controller and a separate processing box, together pushing the price tag to an eye-watering $10,000. Clearly, it’s not aimed at everyday consumers. Instead, Meta is courting developers, hoping to carve out a place alongside rivals like Snap in the AR space by 2026.
Looking further ahead, another project codenamed Artemis is slated for 2027. The idea is to refine Orion’s bulky setup into something lighter, more wearable and closer to a product AR enthusiasts might actually buy. If Meta pulls it off, Artemis could mark a genuine turning point in wearable tech—something closer to Zuckerberg’s dream of replacing smartphones altogether.
Beyond glasses: Meta’s restless lab work
The glasses may be the headline act, but Meta’s Reality Labs aren’t stopping there. The team has reportedly revisited an on-again, off-again smartwatch project and is experimenting with earbuds fitted with cameras. These would allow AI to scan and interpret a user’s environment, adding another layer of immersion to the whole connected ecosystem.
It’s not hard to imagine how all this could connect: glasses for visuals, earbuds for sound and spatial awareness, a smartwatch for control. Taken together, the pieces form an ambitious vision of life beyond the smartphone.
The countdown to a post-phone world
Whether we’re ready to swap our beloved rectangles of glass for high-tech eyewear is another matter. Remember Google Glass? Not exactly a roaring success. But Meta is playing the long game. With affordable entry-level models, a luxury tier for early adopters, and eye-wateringly expensive prototypes for developers, Zuckerberg is laying out a roadmap towards a post-smartphone future.
If he’s right, in a decade’s time we may well be nudging friends and saying, “Remember when we used to carry those bricks around in our pockets?” Until then, it’s all about testing whether the world really wants to wear its screens.
Similar Posts
- Would you pay flagship smartphone prices for smart glasses? Zuckerberg bets on it
- Meta’s smart glasses with screens are launching soon — and they’ll be surprisingly affordable
- Meta to challenge Google with its new augmented reality glasses this fall
- Zuckerberg says smartphones are done — and Samsung is already working on what’s next
- Mark Zuckerberg Announces the End of Mobile Phones and Reveals Their Replacement
Felix Marlowe manages Belles and Gals’ vibrant social media platforms. With expertise in social engagement and viral marketing, Felix creates content that sparks conversation and keeps followers coming back for more. From celebrity news to trending challenges, Felix makes sure our social media stays at the forefront of pop culture.
