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Meta Launches $299 Smart Glasses As Wearables Race Heats Up

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 24, 2026

Meta has unveiled a new line of smart glasses priced at $299, making them at least $80 cheaper than the company’s entry-level second-generation Meta Ray-Ban model as it expands its presence in the wearable technology market.

Lower Price, Broader Ambition

Developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the new Meta Glasses feature updated designs but do not carry Ray-Ban or Oakley branding. The launch broadens Meta’s product range at a time when interest in AI-enabled wearable devices continues to grow.

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According to industry estimates, Meta and EssilorLuxottica currently account for more than 80% of the smart glasses market, having sold millions of units since the product line was introduced in 2021. The lower price point may help the company reach a wider group of consumers while strengthening its position in the category.

From Camera Glasses To The Next Computing Platform

Like previous models, the new glasses combine a built-in camera with open-ear speakers and voice-enabled AI functionality. Users can interact with Meta’s AI assistant to translate languages, identify objects and locations, or capture photos and videos hands-free.

Although the device does not include a display, it forms part of Meta’s broader efforts to expand its wearable technology ecosystem. Last year, the company introduced Ray-Ban Display glasses priced at $799, which feature a built-in screen and additional functionality.

Company executives have repeatedly described smart glasses as an important area of development as Meta explores new ways of integrating artificial intelligence into consumer hardware.

Rising Competition In Smart Glasses

The field is getting more crowded. Google said last month that it is developing computerized eyewear with Warby Parker powered by its Gemini AI model. Last week, Snap announced Specs, a $2,195 pair of smart glasses that CEO Evan Spiegel described as a successor to the smartphone. Meta said its new glasses will be offered in three designs, alongside a new charging stand.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

A New Twitter-Inspired Social Network Is Taking Shape

by News Editor

August 27, 2026

A new social network called Twitter.now is entering the market, with a founding team that includes former Twitter trademark counsel Stephen Coates. The service is being developed by startup Operation Bluebird.

As Ars Technica reported, X sued the company last year and asked a Delaware judge to block the launch. Operation Bluebird argued in a petition that X had abandoned trademarks including “Twitter” and “Tweet.”

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Coates has said the project is not an attempt to recreate the original Twitter. In a LinkedIn post, he described the platform as a new public space focused on trust, transparency and user choice.

AI System To Rate Posts

Twitter.now is currently being tested, with early access priced at $20. Its main feature is VERA, an AI system designed to evaluate posts, verify claims and provide sources and context.

Posts receive a trust score, with users eventually able to set a minimum score to filter their feeds. The company says this approach will give people more control over what they see instead of leaving those decisions entirely to an algorithm.

Moderation Remains A Challenge

Scaling moderation will be one of the platform’s biggest tests. Social networks have repeatedly struggled with content moderation as their communities grow, and newer platforms such as Bluesky have faced similar criticism.

Operation Bluebird says VERA will form the basis of its moderation and verification system. A second version is already planned, with expanded tools that would let users set a specific trust threshold for the posts appearing in their feeds.

For now, Twitter.now remains in an early testing phase, combining the familiarity of the Twitter name with an AI-driven approach to evaluating online information.