Meta Platforms Inc. has launched a new generation of smart eyewear called the Oakley Meta HSTN featuring integrated AI interaction capabilities. This marks the company's latest collaboration with eyewear manufacturer Oakley, following the successful Ray-Ban Meta series that achieved over 200,000 units sold in February.
The joint development with Luxottica Group (Milan-based parent company of Oakley) represents a significant technological advancement. The new glasses include a front-facing ultra-high-definition camera with 2880 x 1620 pixels resolution - a 50% improvement over the previous 1440 x 1920 pixels specification in the Ray-Ban series. The device incorporates stereo speakers and microphones for seamless interaction with Meta AI, Facebook's proprietary alternative to ChatGPT.
Powering this enhanced functionality is a larger battery compared to the Ray-Ban series. The HSTN delivers up to 8 hours of typical usage and 19+ hours in standby mode. With the included charging case, users can extend battery life by an additional 27 hours.
Engineered with IPX4 water resistance rating, the device can withstand light rain exposure but isn't suitable for submersion. Some models will feature Oakley's proprietary PRIZM Technology - advanced lens materials that enhance contrast by filtering visual noise. Prescription lens options are also available.
Parallel to the consumer-focused HSTN launch, Meta is previewing the Aria 2 smart glasses for AI researchers. This research device includes four cameras compared to the single lens in consumer models, with two stereo cameras providing 80-degree depth sensing coverage - double the first-generation Aria 1's capability.
Meta's Aria 2 supports depth-based computer vision through its stereo imaging system, enabling gesture control for app interactions. Additional sensors include heart rate monitoring and ambient light detection systems. The latter allows automatic indoor/outdoor setting adjustments based on lighting conditions.
Both devices utilize specialized processors capable of local AI model execution without internet connectivity. While hardware details remain undisclosed for the HSTN, the Aria 2's custom processor enables offline operation.
Available for purchase this summer at $399 (a $100 premium over Ray-Ban Meta models), the HSTN will offer six frame styles. Three variants will include the PRIZM noise-filtering lens technology.
