Here Are the Most Important Announcements From the Meta Connect 2026 Conference.
On Wednesday, Meta held its annual “Connect” event . Curiously, the event was scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT), following ” Made by Google ,” making it the second major tech event of 2026 to take place that evening. While this may have diminished the event’s usual visibility, the presentation was certainly not dull: Meta CEO Mark Zuckberg outlined the company’s ambitious hardware and AI plans, and convincingly laid out Meta’s vision for the future of work, entertainment, and social connections. Here’s what the company announced.
The next Meta smart glasses will not have cameras.
Meta makes some of the most popular smart glasses on the market. However, that doesn’t mean it has a great reputation. As it turns out, many of us don’t like walking past a ton of glasses with built-in cameras wherever we go. While smart glasses enthusiasts have their arguments for the usefulness of this technology, many others are simply put off by the invasion of privacy.
I can’t think of a better explanation for the direction Meta has taken with its latest line of smart glasses: the Ray-Ban Meta Audio. As the name suggests, these glasses don’t have cameras. Instead, according to Meta , they feature open ear openings designed for “truly comfortable all-day wear.” The new glasses boast a claimed battery life of 12 hours, and the charging case can add another 48 hours.
These glasses also feature adjustable temples and interchangeable nose pads. You can use them to listen to music, access Meta AI, and take phone calls—all without having to fend off accusations of unauthorized video recording. Meta says the Meta Audio glasses will be available in 23 different color and lens combinations in “Clubmaster” or “Burbank” frames. Orders will begin shipping on October 13, and pre-orders are available today for $349 .
Meta introduced the Ray-Ban Meta (3rd generation).
Of course, Meta isn’t completely abandoning its smart glasses with a built-in camera. In fact, the company also introduced new devices to its Ray-Ban Meta line. According to the company, these glasses last an hour longer on a single charge than the previous generation (nine hours versus eight) and come with new adjustable temples. They also feature a new six-microphone array, which Meta claims suppresses over 90% of background noise.
Meta emphasized that the 3K Ultra HD camera built into the frame turns on LED lighting while recording, keeping those around you aware of what’s happening. Meta claims that these cameras will soon be able to record video with Dolby Atmos spatial sound. These glasses are already available in two frame styles: “Avaitor” and “Zena,” starting at $449.
Meta VR glasses
The Meta VR Glasses , the company’s new virtual reality headset, has been attracting the most attention. Unlike other headsets, such as Meta’s Quest line or Apple’s Vision Pro, this device resembles more of a pair of oversized glasses than a full-fledged headset. Meta claims that “thanks to its revolutionary, glasses-like form factor,” the product requires no straps or bulky hardware to operate, and is five times lighter than the Meta Quest 3. This is partly due to the “puck”—an external device that snaps on and handles computing, battery charging, and data storage.
The Meta VR Glasses feature a 5K micro-OLED “infinity display” supporting Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. They are powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Reality Elite chip, and their battery allows for three hours of continuous high-definition streaming. They also support 45W fast charging.
As a film buff, I’m intrigued by Meta’s claim that this is the first IMAX Enhanced-certified VR device. Meta claims this is one of the few ways to watch “select films” in IMAX’s enhanced format—at least at home. This exclusivity extends to non-IMAX video formats as well: Avengers: Infinity War and Star Wars: A New Hope will be available in VR-Enhanced versions. Additionally, Disney+ subscribers will be able to watch select films in 3D, and sports apps like NBA, MLB, and ESPN will support 8K “Immersive Sports” streaming with a 180-degree field of view.
Like other headsets, the Meta VR glasses support multiple virtual screens, which Meta envisions as a useful work tool. The device uses hand gestures to control all functions, meaning you can type using a virtual keyboard and navigate the interface using a virtual trackpad. You can work without any additional hardware, but Meta claims you can connect your Mac or PC to the glasses for increased productivity.
Meta’s main advantage is its “hologram” feature, which allows you to see a virtual image of another person while talking on the phone, creating the illusion of a face-to-face conversation. These holograms cover the entire body, which Meta claims is a first in VR (they even have legs!). Of course, since it’s a Meta product, you can also interact with Meta’s AI without removing the glasses. Meta VR Glasses start at $1,299.99 and will be available in spring 2027.
New features for existing Meta AI glasses
The Connect conference wasn’t just about new hardware. Meta also announced a number of new features available in its new and existing eyewear lines. One of the most exciting is a built-in hearing aid feature, FDA-cleared and designed to help adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. However, this helpful feature comes at a cost: users who want to add hearing aid to their glasses will need to pay a one-time fee of $149.99 or sign up for a Meta One subscription. (The former option allows you to pay for the subscription with HSA or FSA funds.)
Meta also announced new fitness and health features, including guided workouts for running and cycling, as well as nutrition tracking and diet recommendations. A new AI-powered shopping tool searches for reviews and price reductions on products you’ve entered, and allows you to make purchases using voice commands. Meta also announced a host of new ways to personalize your Meta glasses experience, including personalized sound effects, custom gestures, and new visual AI. For example, you can now assign a frequently used tool to a shortcut for pressing and holding on the touchpad.
Going forward, the company says your walking directions should become a little more “human” by using landmarks instead of street names (for example, “turn left at the supermarket” instead of “turn left onto Broadway”). I’m not sure this will be a useful change, especially if the road signs are more obvious than the landmarks, but we’ll see. Later this month, you’ll also be able to request cycling and public transit directions using voice commands through the Meta Ray-Ban Display.
Games in Meta VR glasses
Meta clearly has big plans for games for Meta VR Glasses. Beat Saber will be receiving an update for Meta VR Glasses and Meta Quest. It will feature a new single-player campaign, “Flux,” which allows you to smash and slice notes with your hands, as well as an updated Campaign mode with new rewards and progression systems. Meta claims a total of 75 games will be released for Meta VR Glasses, including Cardmada, Dice Throne Digital, Dragon Grove, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies, Supernatural, Tetris Effect: Mixed Realities , and Two Point Hospital. These games, including Beat Saber , can be played using hand tracking alone, so controllers are not required.
Meta “Muse” Updates
A few weeks ago, Meta released Muse, its agent-based AI assistant. In addition to a brief description of the new bot, the company also announced a number of updates to Muse. First, Muse will receive a cute cartoon avatar, which Meta believes will make Muse’s voice mode more interactive. In the coming months, Muse will also appear in AI-powered glasses and receive its own email address, allowing it to perform tasks on your behalf without using your personal email address.
Meta announces that Muse for Mac is now available for desktop use, meaning Muse can use any app on your computer, even when you’re away from your desk. (Give Muse control of your computer at your own risk.) The company is also rolling out new connectors for Muse so it can work with the following retailers and services: Walmart, Best Buy, American Eagle Outfitters, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Fanatics, Gap, Michael Kors, Sephora, Ulta, Wayfair, ShopPay, and PayPal.
Finally, the company announced the “Muse Charm”—a Tamagotchi-like device controlled by AI. It’s more of a novelty than a useful tool, as I suspect the same could be achieved with the Muse app on a phone, but we’ll learn more about this product in the future.