Meta is making ready to launch its first industrial augmented actuality (AR) glasses, codenamed “Hypernova,” anticipated to debut in September at a base worth of roughly $800. This worth displays a notable discount of about 20% from earlier estimates of $1,000, signaling Meta’s intention to just accept decrease revenue margins with a purpose to enhance shopper demand. Nonetheless, the worth could improve with non-obligatory customizations corresponding to prescription lenses or design modifications.
Hypernova is designed as a minimalist good glasses mannequin and can function a precursor to Meta’s extra superior AR headset known as Phoenix, which is projected to launch in 2027. The glasses will characteristic a monocular show positioned on a small space of the proper lens, offering key notifications and cues from Meta’s AI app with out obstructing the wearer’s predominant visual view. This show is seen solely when customers look downward, sustaining an unobtrusive expertise.
Meta’s AI glasses (mockup by Perplexity AI)
Working a specialised model of Android, Hypernova will include a handful of pre-installed apps, however it is not going to help common Android apps or have entry to an app retailer. The gadget goals to ship core good glasses performance with out the complexity or bulk of totally immersive AR techniques.
A particular accent paired with Hypernova is a “neural” wristband that employs electromyography (EMG) to detect hand gestures and actions for management functions. This wristband, beforehand seen in prototypes for Meta’s forthcoming Orion AR headset, enhances interplay capabilities. Along with the wristband, the glasses will characteristic touch-sensitive areas on the temples that enable customers to manage sure features.
Meta is already creating a second-generation model of the Hypernova glasses that may embody binocular imaginative and prescient for a wider and probably extra immersive show. This successor, anticipated round 2027, will preserve a easy consumer interface however is seen as a stepping stone in direction of a extra strong AR expertise. This evolution aligns with Meta’s gradual strategy to coming into the AR market, constructing from fundamental good glasses in direction of extra complete augmented actuality headsets.
