These Are the Biggest Announcements From Meta Connect 2026

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Credit: Meta

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Meta hosted its annual "Connect" event on Wednesday. Curiously, the company kicked things off at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT), following "Made by Google" as the second major tech event of 2026 to take place in the evening. While that might have reduced the usual visibility of the event, it certainly wasn't an unremarkable presentation: Meta CEO Mark Zuckberg laid out the company's big hardware and AI plans and sold us a pitch for Meta's vision for the future of work, entertainment, and social connectivity. Here's what the company announced.

Meta makes some of the most popular smart glasses on the market. That doesn't mean it has a great reputation. As it turns out, many of us aren't keen on walking past a deluge of glasses with embedded cameras wherever we go. While smart glasses fans have their arguments for why the tech is useful, many others are simply put off by the privacy invasion.

I can't think of a better reason to explain the direction Meta is taking with its latest smart glasses line: Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses. As the name suggests, these glasses do not have cameras. Instead, Meta says they have open-ear audio, designed for "true all-day wearability." The new glasses have a reported 12 hours of battery life, while the charging case can add an additional 48 hours of use.

These glasses also have adjustable temple tips and swappable 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 unsolicited video recording. Meta says that Meta Audio glasses will come in 23 different color and lens combinations in either "Clubmaster" or "Burbank" frames. They will ship Oct. 13, and you can pre-order them today for $349.

Meta introduced the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3)

Meta isn't completely ditching its camera-embedded smart glasses, of course. In fact, it also introduced the next devices in its Ray-Ban Meta line. According to the company, these glasses run an hour longer than the previous generation on a charge (nine hours as opposed to eight) and come with new adjustable temple tips. There's a new array of six microphones that Meta says cuts out over 90% of background noise.

Meta did make a point to note that the "3K Ultra HD" camera embedded in the frames does engage an LED light whenever you are recording, so the people around you are aware. Meta says those cameras will soon be able to shoot videos with Dolby Atmos spatial audio. These glasses are available now, in both "Avaitor" and "Zena" frames, starting at $449.

The device that is generating the most headlines is the Meta VR Glasses, the company's new virtual reality headset. Unlike other headsets, like Meta's Quest line or Apple Vision Pro, this device looks more like an oversized pair of glasses than a full headset. Meta says that, "thanks to a breakthrough glasses-like form factor," the product doesn't need to rely on straps or bulky hardware to run, and is five times lighter than the Meta Quest 3. That's due, in part, to the "puck," a clip-on external device that handles compute, battery, and storage.

The Meta VR Glasses have a 5K micro-OLED "Infinite Display" that supports both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. They run on Qualcomm's new Snapdragon Reality Elite chip, while the puck's battery can stream high-resolution media for three hours at a time. It also supports 45W fast charging.

As a movie nerd, I'm intrigued by Meta's claims that this is the first VR device that's IMAX Enhanced certified. Meta says it's one of the only ways to experience "select films" in IMAX's expanded aspect ratio—at least, at home. That 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. In addition, 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 180-degree views.

Like other headsets, the Meta VR Glasses support multiple virtual screens, which Meta envisions as a useful tool for work. This device uses hand gestures for all controls, which means you can type using a virtual keyboard and control the UI with a virtual trackpad. You can work without any additional hardware, but Meta says you can connect your Mac or PC to the glasses for added productivity.

The biggest selling point is Meta's "hologram" feature, which lets you see a virtual representation of another person while on a call with them, creating the illusion you're actually having an in-person conversation. These are full-body holograms, too—a first for VR according to Meta (they even have legs!). Of course, since this is a Meta product, you can also talk to Meta AI while wearing the glasses. Meta VR Glasses will start at $1,299.99 and will be available in spring 2027.

New features for existing Meta AI glasses

Connect wasn't just about new hardware. Meta also announced a series of new features available across its new and existing glasses lines. One of the most intriguing is onboard hearing assistance, an FDA-cleared feature that helps adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, but this helpful feature won't be free: Users looking to add hearing assistance to their glasses will need to pay a one-time $149.99 upgrade fee, or subscribe to Meta One. (If you opt for the former, you can use HSA or FSA funds to pay for it.)

Meta also announced new exercise and health features, including guided workouts for running and cycling as well as nutrition tracking and dietary advice. A new AI shopping tool looks for reviews and price drops on products you've identified, and lets you make purchases with your voice. In addition, Meta says that there are a host of new ways to customize your experience with your Meta glasses, including personalized audio, custom gestures, and new visual AI. For example, you can now set a frequently used tool to the touchpad press-and-hold shortcut.

Going forward, your walking directions should be a bit more "human," the company says, as directions can use landmarks instead of street names (e.g., "turn left at the supermarket" instead of "turn left at Broadway.) I'm not sure that will be a helpful change, especially if the street signs are more obvious than the landmarks, but we'll have to see. Later this month, you'll also be able to ask for biking and public transit directions using your voice with Meta Ray-Ban Display.

Meta clearly has big plans for gaming on Meta VR glasses. Beat Saber is getting an update for Meta VR Glasses and Meta Quest. There's a new single-player campaign, "Flux," that lets you punch and slice notes with your hands, and a refreshed "Campaign" mode with new reward and progression systems. Meta says, in total, there are 75 games coming to 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 with hand-tracking alone, so there's no need for controllers.

Meta's "Muse" updates

Meta released Muse, its agentic AI assistant, a few weeks ago. While the company took time to summarize its new bot, it also announced a handful of new Muse updates. First, Muse is getting a cute cartoon avatar, which Meta thinks will make Muse's voice mode a bit more interactive. Muse is also coming to AI glasses in the coming months, and will get its own email address, so it can perform tasks on your behalf without using your personal email.

Meta says computer use is now available on the Muse for Mac app, meaning Muse can now use any app on your computer, even if you leave your desk. (Give Muse control over your machine at your own risk.) The company is also rolling out more 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, Shop Pay, and PayPal.

Finally, the company teased "Muse Charm," a Tamagotchi-like device for the agentic AI. This seems a bit more of a novelty than a useful tool, since I imagine you could achieve the same with the Muse app on your phone, but we'll learn more about this product in the future.