Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, is expanding its foray into wearable technology with the anticipated release of a new pair of smart glasses, codenamed “Hypernova.” Unlike the previously launched Meta Ray-Ban Glasses, which lacked a display, this next-generation model is set to come equipped with a built-in screen and a wrist-worn XR controller, enhancing both functionality and interaction.
According to multiple Bloomberg reports, Meta’s Hypernova smart glasses are expected to be launched later in 2025. The goal is to create a hybrid wearable device that functions as both a stylish accessory and a functional smart gadget. Although Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta Glasses offered features like hands-free image and video capture, audio playback, and voice-activated AI, Hypernova takes a significant step forward with integrated visuals and gesture-based control.
A Shift from Audio-First to Display-Enabled Wearables
The key differentiator with Hypernova is the inclusion of a display, positioned in the lower-right quadrant of the right lens. This is a major upgrade from the original Meta Ray-Ban Glasses, which focused on audio experiences and basic camera functionality. With the addition of a display, users can now view photos, notifications, maps, and even lightweight app interfaces without needing to glance at their smartphones.
This display-based approach aligns Hypernova more closely with Google Glass than with full-fledged AR glasses like the ones under development by Meta itself or other competitors like Apple, Magic Leap, or Microsoft’s HoloLens. It’s important to understand that these are smart glasses—not augmented reality (AR) glasses. While AR glasses overlay digital content on the physical world and respond to spatial contexts, smart glasses like Hypernova primarily serve as a secondary screen and interface for mobile devices.
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Features and Software Integration
Meta’s upcoming glasses will reportedly support a dedicated set of applications, including those for photo-taking, image viewing, mapping, and notification management. These apps will be driven through the Meta View phone app, reinforcing the glasses’ role as a smartphone accessory rather than a standalone computing device. Meta is said to be using a custom version of Android to run the Hypernova software, although it will not feature an independent app store at launch.
Beyond the display, Meta will continue to include features from its earlier smart glasses:
- Hands-free image and video capture
- Voice-command AI assistant
- Capacitive touch controls on the temple
- Audio playback and call management via phone pairing
The onboard camera is also getting a significant hardware bump. The current Meta Ray-Ban glasses sport a 12MP camera, equivalent to the one found in Apple’s iPhone 11. Hypernova, on the other hand, is rumored to include a more advanced lens and image sensor system that rivals the iPhone 13—signaling better clarity, color accuracy, and low-light performance.
XR Controller: A New Way to Interact
The standout hardware companion to the Hypernova glasses is the inclusion of a wrist-worn XR controller. Previously teased during Meta’s internal presentations and showcased with the Orion AR headset, this device uses EMG (electromyography) sensors to detect subtle muscle movements in the hand and wrist.
This technology allows users to perform actions such as pinching, rotating fingers, and even making subtle gestures that can be interpreted as clicks or scrolls in the UI. The wristband’s precision comes from the EMG sensors’ ability to capture electrical signals generated by muscle movements, offering a more nuanced form of interaction compared to physical buttons or capacitive swipes.
This controller represents a major leap toward the kind of natural, intuitive computing interfaces envisioned for the AR and XR future. It enables seamless control of the UI without needing large input devices, touchpads, or external controllers.
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Pricing and Availability
While pricing has not been officially confirmed, internal sources suggest that Meta is targeting a launch price between $1,000 and $1,400 for Hypernova. This is significantly more expensive than the $300 Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, but the difference is attributed to the display, upgraded camera, and the bundled XR wrist controller.
It’s worth noting that Meta has a history of shelving products or features close to launch. One version of Hypernova that did not include a camera was reportedly canceled to reduce costs and address privacy concerns. Thus, while the final specs and price remain subject to change, Hypernova still appears to be on track for release by the end of 2025.
Looking Ahead: Supernova 2 and Hypernova 2
Meta is not stopping at Hypernova. The company is reportedly in the final stages of developing “Supernova 2,” a sportier version of the Meta smart glasses in collaboration with Oakley. This new variant is expected to focus more on fitness, lifestyle, and outdoor activity use cases.
Meanwhile, development on Hypernova 2 has already started. Scheduled for a tentative release in 2027, this follow-up model could include a binocular display system—essentially showing visuals in both lenses. However, it still won’t be true AR. Instead, it will likely be an enhanced smart glasses experience that continues to rely on peripheral interaction rather than immersive spatial computing.
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The Road to AR: Meta Orion and Beyond
All of this development feeds into Meta’s larger ambition of launching fully capable AR glasses. The Orion developer kit, revealed in 2024, is the backbone of Meta’s AR roadmap. Andrew Bosworth, Meta CTO and head of Reality Labs, has hinted that Meta’s first full-featured AR device could be available before 2030. Pricing is expected to be on par with flagship smartphones and laptops—likely upwards of $2,000.
For now, Hypernova and its successors serve as stepping stones. They allow Meta to test hardware, refine software integration, and build out an ecosystem of apps and interfaces that will eventually migrate into the AR space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Meta’s Hypernova smart glasses?
Hypernova is Meta’s upcoming smart glasses with a built-in display and wrist-worn XR controller for gesture-based interaction.
2. What is the difference between smart glasses and AR glasses?
Smart glasses act as smartphone accessories displaying limited information, while AR glasses overlay digital elements onto the real world interactively.
3. How much will Meta Hypernova smart glasses cost?
The expected price is between $1,000 and $1,400, though this may change closer to launch.
4. What features does the Hypernova display include?
It can show images, notifications, maps, and simple app content within the user’s view.
5. Will Hypernova work independently of a smartphone?
No, it will rely on the Meta View app on a paired phone and won’t have its own app store initially.
6. What is the XR controller included with Hypernova?
It is a wrist-worn input device using EMG sensors to detect finger and wrist gestures for controlling the smart glasses.
7. Can you take photos or videos with Hypernova?
Yes, it includes an upgraded camera system that reportedly matches the quality of an iPhone 13.
8. When will Meta Hypernova be released?
It is expected to be launched later in 2025, but no exact date has been confirmed.
9. Is Hypernova waterproof or rugged?
As of now, there is no official information on durability ratings, so it’s best to handle it like regular electronics.
10. What other smart glasses is Meta working on?
Meta is also developing “Supernova 2” with Oakley and “Hypernova 2” with binocular displays, plus long-term plans for AR glasses based on Orion.