Meta Platforms has taken a significant leap in the smart glasses market with the announcement of its new Ray-Ban Display glasses at Connect 2025. These cutting-edge wearables feature full-color, high-resolution in-lens displays, allowing users to interact with digital content without the need to look at their smartphones.

Revolutionary Neural Band Control

One of the most innovative aspects of the new Ray-Ban Display glasses is their control mechanism. Meta has introduced a Neural Band wrist device that reads muscle signals, enabling users to control the glasses through intuitive gestures. This technology marks a significant advancement in human-computer interaction, potentially setting a new standard for wearable tech interfaces.

Enhanced Features and Functionality

The Display glasses offer a range of practical applications, including:

• Checking messages
• Previewing photos
• Interacting with AI assistants

These functions can be performed seamlessly while wearing the glasses, enhancing user convenience and reducing reliance on smartphones for quick information access.

Expanded Product Line

In addition to the Display glasses, Meta has also unveiled:

1. Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2: An updated version of their smart glasses with an impressive 8-hour battery life.
2. Oakley Meta Vanguard: A new offering specifically designed for athletes, expanding Meta's reach in the wearable tech market.

Design Collaboration and Comfort

Chris Cox, Meta's Chief Product Officer, emphasized the company's collaboration with EssilorLuxottica in designing the glasses. The partnership focused on creating comfortable and lightweight wearables that blend technology with fashion, addressing one of the key challenges in smart glasses adoption.

Global Availability

Meta has announced plans for a phased global rollout:

• India: The Display glasses will be available soon.
• Global markets including the UK: Availability planned for early 2026.

Competitive Positioning

Cox positioned Meta as a leader in the smart glasses space, noting that the company is ahead of competitors like Apple in offering display glasses. He also highlighted Meta's ongoing efforts in developing personal computing devices and exploring neural interfaces beyond voice control.

Future Developments

While Meta continues to innovate in wearable technology, the company hasn't ruled out the possibility of building a smartwatch in the future. This suggests that Meta is keeping its options open in the rapidly evolving wearable tech landscape.

The introduction of these new smart glasses demonstrates Meta's commitment to pushing the boundaries of personal computing and augmented reality. As the technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these innovations shape the future of human-computer interaction and daily digital experiences.

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, has contested a Rs 213.1 crore penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). The penalty stems from WhatsApp's privacy policy update in 2021, which raised concerns about data sharing practices between WhatsApp and other Meta companies.

Legal Arguments

Meta's legal team presented several arguments challenging the CCI's decision:

1. Lack of Concrete Evidence: Meta contended that the CCI failed to identify any actual conduct that denied market access to rivals, instead basing its case on hypothetical scenarios rather than present conduct.

2. Market Definition: The company argued that the CCI erroneously defined a narrow relevant market for 'online display advertising' without considering substitutable services like search advertising or offline advertising.

3. Impact Assessment: Meta stated that the CCI did not demonstrate actual effects of WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy update on the advertising market or consult advertisers about available services.

Current Status

In a significant development, the NCLAT has stayed the five-year ban on data-sharing practices between WhatsApp and Meta for advertising purposes. This stay order provides temporary relief to Meta while the case is being heard.

CCI's Original Order

The CCI's order included several directives:

1. A monetary penalty of Rs 213.1 crore on Meta Platforms.
2. Implementation of behavioral remedies.
3. A ban on WhatsApp sharing user data with other Meta companies for advertising purposes for five years.

Next Steps

The legal battle is set to continue, with the CCI scheduled to present its arguments on September 18-19. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for data privacy practices and competition in the digital advertising market in India.

This case highlights the ongoing global debate surrounding data privacy, competition in the tech industry, and the regulatory challenges faced by large technology companies operating across multiple jurisdictions.