The company is poised to debut its first-ever camera-free smart glasses.
Meta
Following Apple’s recent iPhone Duo launch by just two weeks, Meta is the next major tech company to take the stage at Connect 2026. The two-day event runs from September 23 to 24, and the company promises to showcase its “latest breakthroughs in AI technologies, AI glasses and VR.”
Connect 2025 brought a robust lineup of smart glasses, including the second-generation Ray-Ban Meta, the sporty Oakley Meta Vanguards, and the Meta Ray-Ban Display — the company’s first AI-powered glasses featuring a built-in display. Beyond hardware, Meta also delivered significant software updates for its Quest headsets and introduced Meta Horizon Studio, a dedicated platform for creating VR experiences within Horizon Worlds.
Despite generating considerable controversy in recent months, reports suggest the company is ready to pivot with a completely reimagined product line — details on which are forthcoming.
Meta has stated that “everyone is invited to join us virtually for Meta Connect,” and registration is straightforward. Interested viewers can sign up to watch the livestream on Meta’s website by providing their name, email, and country. The event will also be available on the Meta for Developers Facebook page. The livestream begins on September 23 at 7PM ET / 4PM PT and continues on September 24 at 1PM ET / 10AM PT. Language translations will be provided for non-English-speaking attendees.
What to Expect at Meta Connect 2026
Meta
Widespread criticism of Meta’s smart glasses — often labeled “pervert glasses” — has sparked serious privacy concerns, prompting subtle software adjustments and targeted ad campaigns. Among these changes is a feature that disables cameras when it detects the flashing LED has been obstructed, whether by tape or clip-on accessories. The backlash has even prompted Instagram to ban users who post videos depicting interactions with others while wearing modified glasses.
However, a significant shift is expected with the company’s next release. According to The Information, Meta is set to launch camera-free smart glasses. Unofficially referred to as Luna, the latest model is reported to include six built-in microphones, enabling users to communicate with Meta’s AI chatbot and Muse, the company’s new personal AI agent that became publicly available earlier this month.
Beyond smart glasses, the official unveiling of the rumored mixed reality headset codenamed “Project Phoenix” could be on the agenda, particularly after new images surfaced earlier this month. This slimmer mixed reality device may not hit shelves this year, but given the recent leaks and the company’s mention of VR in the event description, an announcement remains plausible.
The full agenda kicks off with a keynote from CEO Mark Zuckerberg on September 23 at 7PM ET. The developer state of the union and developer sessions begin at 1PM ET the following day, with the latter available on demand. These sessions will feature developer advocates, software engineers, designers, and product managers across VR, AI glasses, and Horizon, highlighting Meta’s latest advancements.