Meta smart glasses set for major 2025 upgrade
Meta Connect 2025 is approaching, and expectations are building around the company’s next wave of innovations. While hardware upgrades to its smart glasses, developed in partnership with Ray-Ban and Oakley, are anticipated, software improvements could prove even more significant. Reports suggest that a substantial software overhaul will be unveiled during the event, potentially reshaping the way the devices function and expanding their capabilities.
Details emerging from UploadVR highlight several sessions scheduled for the conference, focusing on a new developer toolkit designed for Meta’s wearable technology. According to professional profiles of the Meta employees leading these sessions, the team has expertise in bringing applications to the glasses, building previous AR platforms, and assisting external collaborators in creating both AR and AI-powered content for wearable devices. This signals that Meta is positioning the smart glasses as more than a simple accessory and closer to a standalone computing platform.
Further weight was added by a CNBC report, which revealed Meta’s collaboration with third-party developers on experimental applications tailored for its upcoming glasses with integrated displays. These devices are also expected to feature a wristband controller, marking another step towards a more immersive user experience. Together, these developments indicate that Meta intends to support proper applications on its glasses for the first time, significantly enhancing their practical use.
Traditionally, developer toolkits tend to interest only specialists, but this change could have direct implications for everyday users. Meta’s existing glasses primarily function as an assistant, with limited app integrations, such as linking to Spotify for music playback. The anticipated update suggests a shift towards a dedicated operating system, enabling apps to run natively in a manner more closely resembling smartphone functionality. If this transition is realised, users could expect a more seamless, intuitive, and versatile interaction with their devices.
Although the exact technical framework remains unclear, industry speculation points towards a hybrid approach. This may involve a combination of on-device processing, smartphone connectivity, and external server integration, ensuring performance across a broad range of tools. Regardless of the structure, such an upgrade would represent a significant improvement in the glasses’ utility. The devices are already considered convenient, and enhanced app compatibility would only heighten their effectiveness.
It is unlikely that the initial rollout will deliver full-scale augmented reality experiences comparable to future projects, such as Orion, or rival offerings from Snap. However, the inclusion of a heads-up display and more advanced software support could push the glasses closer to being recognised as a standalone platform rather than a supplementary gadget. With rumours suggesting prices starting at approximately $800 (£600 / AU$1,200), the positioning of the glasses appears to align with this broader functionality.
As with all pre-event speculation, final confirmation will only come once Meta officially outlines its plans. The announcements are expected on September 17 at Meta Connect 2025. Until then, the growing evidence points towards a significant step forward for Meta’s smart glasses, with software upgrades that could finally unlock the potential many have been waiting to see.
