Meta、ディスプレイ搭載スマートグラス発表 スマホの未来変えるか

At its annual Connect 2025 conference, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the Meta Ray-Ban Display, a new class of smart glasses designed to pioneer a post-smartphone era. Paired with a revolutionary wrist-based controller, the Meta Neural Band, the device uses advanced AI and electromyography to translate subtle hand gestures into commands and text. This strategic launch represents Meta's most significant move to establish its own hardware platform and reduce its dependency on the ecosystems of Apple and Google.

The Meta Ray-Ban Display, available September 30th for $799, features a full-color, high-resolution screen in the right lens. It displays messages, turn-by-turn directions, and live translation without obstructing the user's view. Unlike previous models, its primary innovation lies in its control method. The accompanying Neural Band allows users to navigate interfaces and input text silently, a critical feature for practical public use and a key differentiator from voice-only assistants.

The Meta Neural Band is powered by surface electromyography (sEMG), which detects the electrical signals sent from the brain to the hand muscles. During the keynote, Zuckerberg demonstrated texting at approximately 30 words per minute by making subtle finger movements, a speed comparable to average smartphone typing. This technology enables complex, voiceless interaction, solving a major usability challenge that has limited previous smart glasses and watches.

This hardware launch is the tangible result of Meta's massive investment in its Reality Labs division, which has incurred over $70 billion in losses since 2020. By creating a compelling hardware and software ecosystem, Meta aims to capture a market currently dominated by iPhones and Android devices. Zuckerberg framed the technology as a way to increase human presence by reducing the need for users to constantly look down at a phone screen.

To broaden its market reach, Meta also announced updates to its existing product line. The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses ($379) offer double the battery life of the original model. Additionally, a partnership with Oakley resulted in the Oakley Meta Vanguard ($499), a ruggedized version designed for athletes with integrations for fitness apps like Garmin and Strava, demonstrating a segmented product strategy.

Despite the technological promise, the ultimate success of the Ray-Ban Display hinges on widespread consumer adoption. Meta is betting that the convenience of a hands-free, heads-up display and silent gesture control will overcome the deeply ingrained habit of using a smartphone. Whether users find this new interaction model more natural and efficient will determine if this major bet can redefine personal computing.