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Following the surprising success of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which reached two million units sold since their late 2023 debut, Meta is unveiling new versions of its AI smart glasses under the Oakley and Prada brands.
According to a CNBC report published on Tuesday, Meta is broadening its collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company that owns Ray-Ban and Oakley, and holds a licensing agreement with Prada. The new Oakley Meta smart glasses are targeted at athletes and active consumers, while the partnership with Prada provides Meta with a high-end agreement with a renowned fashion brand.
The anticipated price for the Oakley glasses will begin at $360, which is higher than the $299 cost for the Ray-Ban Metas, yet they will feature a more weather-resistant design, according to a source from CNBC. These glasses can capture photos and videos, make calls, send text messages via voice commands, livestream, and play music, similar to the Ray-Ban Metas. Additionally, they will feature AI capabilities, allowing users to inquire through a “Hey Meta” voice prompt.
Bloomberg also reported in January that the Oakley glasses were set to be released later this year, and the camera will be in the center of the frame instead of on the side, like the Ray-Ban Metas, so that “cyclists and other athletes” could record footage.
Meta previewed the Oakley partnership on social media on Monday by creating a new Instagram account for “Oakley | Meta” with one post that reads: “The next evolution is coming on June 20.”
Prada, meanwhile, renewed its eyewear licensing agreement with Luxottica for the next decade in December. Former Meta employees told CNBC that Prada eyewear designs were a good fit for Meta because the glasses feature thick temples that can house more technology.
Meta has yet to announce the Prada deal or a timeline for when the smart glasses will hit the market.
EssilorLuxottica and Meta first joined forces in 2019 to work on the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Meta released a first-generation pair in 2021 and a second-generation pair in 2023.
The second-generation glasses took off; EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri said during an earnings call in February that the AI smart glasses were “a great success” and that the company plans to produce 10 million of them by the end of next year.
Meta, meanwhile, is also making a broader push into artificial intelligence. The company announced last week that it would invest $14.3 billion in AI data labeling startup, Scale AI, in exchange for a 49% stake. Some Scale AI employees, including CEO Alexandr Wang, will join Meta as part of the move.
Following the unexpected success of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which have sold two million pairs since launch in late 2023, Meta is releasing new versions of its AI smart glasses under the Oakley and Prada brands.
According to a CNBC report released Tuesday, Meta is expanding its partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company that owns Ray-Ban and Oakley and has a licensing agreement with Prada. The new Oakley Meta smart glasses will target athletes and active customers, while the Prada partnership will give Meta a high-end deal with a notable fashion house.
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