Meta Connect Showcases New Smart Glasses Amid a Week of Major Tech Unveilings
Key Points
- Meta Connect introduced Ray‑Ban Display glasses with a full‑color screen and Oakley’s athlete‑focused smart visor.
- Soundpeats launched the H3 earbuds, offering high‑end audio specs and active noise cancellation at $129.
- DJI unveiled the Mini 5 Pro drone, pairing a 1‑inch sensor with a sub‑250‑gram frame.
- Apple released the iPhone 17, featuring ProMotion, an A19 chip, and the iOS 26 operating system.
- Amazon hinted at a major hardware event featuring new Echo speakers, Kindle devices, and Alexa+ integration.
- Meta announced updates to Horizon Studio, Horizon Engine, and introduced Horizon TV for Quest users.
This week’s tech round‑up highlighted Meta’s Connect event, where the company introduced new Ray‑Ban and Oakley smart glasses featuring full‑color displays and athlete‑focused features. Soundpeats announced the H3 earbuds, delivering high‑end audio specs at a mid‑range price. DJI unveiled the Mini 5 Pro drone, packing a 1‑inch sensor into a sub‑250‑gram frame. Apple rolled out the iPhone 17 with ProMotion, an A19 chip, and the iOS 26 operating system, while Amazon hinted at a large hardware launch later in the month. The coverage also noted updates to Meta’s Quest platform and Horizon development tools.
Meta Connect Unveils Next‑Generation Smart Glasses
Meta’s Connect event dominated headlines as the company debuted several new wearable optics. The flagship Ray‑Ban Display glasses now sport a full‑color screen capable of navigation, translation, and video calls, though the live demo faced technical hiccups. A second Ray‑Ban model, the Gen 2, offers the same style without a display. Oakley’s Meta Vanguard, described as a smart visor, targets athletes with Garmin connectivity, hands‑free fitness updates, and automatic milestone capture during activities such as marathons.
Soundpeats H3 Earbuds Bring Premium Features to a Mid‑Range Price
Budget audio brand Soundpeats introduced the H3 earbuds, featuring a triple‑driver system, hybrid active noise cancellation, Snapdragon Sound, aptX Lossless, and LDAC high‑resolution wireless. The design includes a gold‑accented finish and a chunkier form factor that resembles high‑end in‑ear monitors. Priced at $129, the H3 provides a spec list that rivals higher‑priced competitors and positions Soundpeats as a rapidly improving player in the earbud market.
DJI Mini 5 Pro Redefines the Mini‑Drone Segment
DJI’s Mini 5 Pro launched with a class‑leading 1‑inch sensor and a suite of advanced flight features, all within a 249.9‑gram body that stays below regulatory weight limits. The mini drone’s performance and value proposition were highlighted as striking, offering consumers a high‑quality aerial experience at a competitive price point.
Apple Rolls Out iPhone 17 and iOS 26
Apple’s latest flagship, the iPhone 17, received praise for integrating ProMotion display technology and an always‑on screen into a standard‑price model. Powered by the new A19 chip, the device also boasts larger screens, upgraded cameras, and ships with iOS 26—the most substantial software overhaul in years. iOS 26 introduces redesigned Photos and Messages apps, new customization options, power‑saving settings, and a unified UI across Apple’s ecosystem, drawing mixed reactions from users.
Amazon Teases a Major Hardware Event
Amazon signaled an upcoming hardware showcase slated for the end of the month, suggesting new releases across its Echo smart speaker line, Kindle e‑readers, Echo Buds earbuds, and Fire TV devices. The company indicated that the event will also highlight products built around its new Alexa+ voice assistant.
Meta Expands Quest Ecosystem and Horizon Tools
While Meta did not reveal a new Quest headset at Connect, the event featured updates to Horizon Studio and Horizon Engine, tools aimed at creators building VR worlds. Horizon TV debuted as a unified hub within Quest headsets, paving the way for streaming services such as Disney+ to reach the platform.
Overall, the week presented a dense array of product announcements and software updates, underscoring the rapid pace of innovation across wearables, audio, mobile, drone, and smart home categories.