Report: Meta Smart Glasses With Display Run On Android With 'Neural Wristband' Controls

The smart glasses revolution is coming, with Meta reportedly planning to launch its first pair with a display later this year with Android at its core.

Bloomberg reports that Meta’s upcoming smart glasses with a display will, like the Meta Quest series, be based on a “highly customized version” of Android. Google announced Android XR last year as an experience designed for devices such as smart glasses, but Meta’s efforts appear to be completely separate.

The report, citing Meta employees familiar with the product, claims that “Hypernova” (the codename for the project) will have a homescreen on its display that shows app icons for apps that can take pictures (through an upgraded camera sensor), view photos, and using maps. Phone notifications could also be mirrored from your smartphone, with the Meta View app still being heavily relied on. There would be no app store on the glasses.

As far as controls go, it sounds as though there will be a two-fold control method. This would include swipes and taps on the glasses similar to existing Ray-Bans, but Meta’s “Neural Wristband” would also be available for more fine-tuned controls. The wristband recognizes gestures with the user’s hand and would apparently be included in the box with the glasses. Meta first showed off the wristband with its “Orion” concept last year. A new “triangular prism” carrying case is reportedly also coming.

The report also cites “Meta employee” estimates that these glasses could cost upwards of $1,000.

Meanwhile, Samsung is reportedly gearing up to show off and potentially launch its first pair of Android XR glasses later this year.