According to a recent report by Alex Heath of The Verge, Meta plans to release two AR glasses in 2024: Nazare and Hypernova, and launch a lighter, more advanced second-generation product of Nazare in 2026, followed by a more complete third-generation product in 2028. For now, a Meta spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
It is understood that Nazare's existing prototype design is similar to black-rimmed glasses, about four times the weight (100g) of ordinary glasses, and its target audience is developers and early users, and the expected sales volume is about tens of thousands of units. Its price has not yet been determined, but given the material cost of AR glasses in the thousands of dollars, the device is sure to be more expensive than the $299 Quest VR headset. However, the final price needs to consider whether Zuckerberg continues to subsidize hardware sales to encourage adoption.
Hypernova, a previously unexposed Meta AR glasses, features a smaller and cheaper screen than the Nazare screen, and also runs independently of a smartphone, but can be matched to a nearby phone to receive phone messages and notifications synchronously. According to people familiar with the matter, Hypernova is similar to North Focals' lightweight AR data glasses.
In addition, Meta plans to launch the first smartwatch as early as this year, and plans to include CTRL-Labs' EMG gesture tracking technology in the third generation of smartwatches, with the aim of working with Nazare and Hypernova. In addition, Meta,
In addition to Nazare and Hypernova, Meta is also developing the second generation of Ray-Ban smart glasses, Ray-Ban smart glasses have cameras and speakers, but no display, it is understood that the second generation will not carry a monitor. Between September and December last year, the product sold about 120,000 pairs, failing to meet the initial target of 300,000 pairs, but Meta hopes to sell tens of millions of smart glasses by 2030.
If the information Alex Heath mentions is true and Zuckerberg's timeline is met on the timeline, Meta will slowly shift to companies known for hardware, and Meta's AR glasses will compete with Snap and future models from Microsoft and Qualcomm.
With Meta's reputation deteriorating due to privacy concerns, content controversy and regulatory pressures, these two AR glasses may help Meta get out of the scandal and regain its early industry status.