Meta’s Hypernova Smart Glasses: Bringing Google glass’s vision to life?

Back in 2012, Google Glass gave us a peek into a future where smart glasses could seamlessly integrate digital apps into real-world interactions. While the original concept didn’t quite take off, Meta is now set to reignite that vision with its upcoming Hypernova smart glasses, expected to launch by the end of the year.

A New Era of Smart Glasses

Meta is following up on its Ray-Ban Meta Glasses—priced around $329—with a significantly more advanced and expensive model. According to Bloomberg, the Hypernova is expected to retail between $1,000 and $1,400, promising enhanced capabilities, including a heads-up display integrated into the bottom right corner of the lens. If that’s not futuristic enough, rumors suggest a second-generation Hypernova in 2027 will feature displays for both eyes.

What Makes Hypernova Different?

Unlike the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, which focus on capturing photos and videos, playing music, and handling voice commands, the Hypernova takes things further by projecting apps directly into the user’s field of view. This could allow users to check navigation, read messages, or access apps hands-free, much like Google Glass originally intended.

Control and Features

Meta is designing the Hypernova to be operated through a touch-sensitive surface on the temple, and a wristband for hand gesture controls is also in development. The device will reportedly run on a smartphone-like interface with a homescreen for app selection and come preloaded with:

A camera app

A navigation app

A gallery app

An app store for third-party applications

Additionally, notifications from a paired smartphone can be displayed directly on the built-in screen.

The Future of Wearable Tech

If the Hypernova delivers on its promises, it could mark a significant leap forward for smart glasses, reviving the ambition of a hands-free digital experience. With Meta’s push into AR and wearable technology, this could be the first real step towards making smartphones less central to our daily tech interactions.

Would you swap your smartphone for smart glasses? Meta seems to think the future is in front of your eyes—literally.