Meta and Oakley announced their new AI-enhanced glasses, the Oakley Meta HSTN, which will be available for preorder from next month. These glasses are equipped with an Ultra HD camera, open-ear speakers, and the built-in Meta AI app, enabling users to capture photos and videos without using their hands. The glasses also boast longer battery life compared to older Meta AI glasses models. Limited-edition glasses are up for preorder from July 11, priced at $499, and a $399 version will be launched later in the summer.
This is the latest product from Meta's collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Oakley, following the partnership on a line of Ray-Ban Meta glasses. A Prada range is also reportedly planned for the future.
Meta noted in a statement, "Glasses have emerged as a major new hardware category of the AI era." They are not alone in this venture, as other big tech companies like Google and Snap have also invested in AI glasses. Google has announced a partnership with Warby Parker to manufacture more AI glasses, committing to an investment of up to $150 million in the project, which includes buying a stake in Warby Parker. Snap, on its part, intends to launch the newest edition of its own AI glasses, dubbed Specs, in 2026.
Meta shares fell by around 2% on Friday afternoon, closing at just over $684. However, since the beginning of the year, they have grown in value by approximately 17%.