Meta Might May Unveil Next-Gen AI-Powered Smartwatch to Control Glasses
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The rumor mill is churning over news that could come out of the Meta Connect 2025 conference next week. Two new rumors : Meta could announce that its purported augmented reality smart glasses will be powered by a smartwatch, and the company could also unveil Meta-powered Prada frames during the event.
Both the potential Prada Meta release and the Meta watch controller for the upcoming augmented reality glasses require some “internet rumor math” and jumping to conclusions, so take it with a grain of salt, but here’s the gist:
Meta Smartwatch Rumors
Speculation about a “Meta smartwatch” began after a Digitimes report in late July suggested that Meta would unveil its own smartwatch at the Meta Connect 2025 conference. Since Meta’s next-generation smart glasses are expected to require a wrist controller, it makes sense that Meta would make them into watches. Almost everyone would rather wear a smartwatch than a special tech bracelet, right?
If the Meta wrist controller/watch does exist, we have no idea what other “watch-like” features it might include (time will tell, of course), but if Meta plans to release a functional smartwatch and a related pair of smart glasses with a display, priced at just $800 (rumored) for the set, I can see a lot of interest.
Rumor of Prada-Meta collaboration
What if Meta’s new glasses were cool, too? Like something from Prada? Prada’s square, thick frames are made for tech, and Meta is already partnering with its parent company EssilorLuxotica, which also owns Ray-Ban and Oakley. Plus, rumors of Prada Meta glasses began back in June, and EssilorLuxotica also makes watches , so it all fits together and suggests Meta could either add Prada glasses to its AI- and camera-focused lines, or launch new Prada-branded glasses with a display.
Or not. It’s all just speculation. It’s not baseless speculation, but it could all be untrue. Maybe Meta thinks the public wants a wrist device that controls glasses but doesn’t tell time. Maybe Meta Prada frames will be announced later. Maybe the giant corporations decided the two brands don’t mesh well enough to interest consumers. Only time, as they say, will tell.
But if you’re keeping score at home, here are five things that could be announced at Meta Connect 2025, in order of my personal enthusiasm:
Smart glasses with metadisplay
There’s so much smoke surrounding the idea that Meta is planning to announce smart glasses with a display built into one of the lenses that there’s got to be fire, right? Well, no. But rumor has it that Meta’s next smart glasses will feature a separate display on one of the lenses for notifications and mini-apps, as well as all the AI, audio, and camera/video features of the current generation of Meta Ray-Ban and Meta Oakley smart glasses. All of this could theoretically be implemented via a wireless bracelet or smartwatch(!).
Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta Smart Glasses of the New Generation
Meta is likely to introduce an improved version of two already successful smart glasses focused on audio and AI. I’d bet on a “third generation” of Meta smart glasses with a better camera, longer battery life, and significantly improved AI, but it’s not too much of a risk. I’m a big fan of my Ray-Ban Metas and would be happy to upgrade.
Prada Meta Smart Glasses
In terms of vibrations alone, Prada-Meta glasses make perfect sense : there are people who wear Ray-Bans, and there are people who wear Oakleys, but neither of them are Prada wearers. Personally, I expect Prada glasses to be added to the Meta line of audio and AI smart glasses, rather than becoming the flagship frame for the already-famous Meta AI smart glasses.
Third-Party Apps for Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta Glasses
Meta opening up its smart glasses infrastructure to third-party developers is unlikely to make much noise, but it could quietly change things for Meta users. It would be great to have a suite of apps for different purposes.
Improvements in Meta Horizon OS
Smart glasses may be getting all the attention, but Meta is expected to announce some improvements to the Horizon operating system, which is also used in its VR headsets. Specifically, expect improved graphics in Horizon Worlds and your virtual home, as well as better connectivity.
If you want to follow the event, Meta Connect 2025 will kick off with CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s keynote on September 17 at 8 p.m. ET and run through September 18. You can stream the keynote and developer conferences on Facebook or on the official Meta Connect website .