The 10 biggest announcements from Meta Connect

Mark Zuckerberg unveiled different designs for Meta's new audio glasses Carlos Barria/Reuters Meta rolled out a slew of new products during the company's Connect event. The company is launching a whole new VR-focused device. It's also ensuring that its Muse AI assistant is easily accessible to users of Meta glasses. Meta doesn't want its moment to end. Fresh off the launch of Muse, its App Store-topping AI assistant, Meta announced its latest wearables on Wednesday at the company's Meta Connect event. New virtual reality glasses, which Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said weigh a fifth as much as the Meta Quest, were a highlight. "There's really nothing like this," Zuckerberg said during the event's keynote. "It is a glimpse of the future." Meta also rolled out audio-only smart glasses, a promise of VR-immersive environments in some of Disney's biggest franchises, and a dedicated button to keep Muse at your fingertips. "We are excited about building other wearables too, but we think that glasses are going to be the biggest category," Zuckerberg said. Here's a list of what caught our attention: A 'new era for VR' Meta Gone are the heavy headsets. In Meta's vision for its new VR era is all about glasses. Meta VR Glasses weigh just 100 grams, the company said. While the bulk is gone, Meta says the glasses are still its "most advanced device yet." "You can wear Meta VR Glasses to comfortably watch a full movie, or get things done on a portable, private screen during a long flight, while maintaining a sense of the world around you," the company wrote in a blog post. The glasses feature "a 5K Infinite Display built on micro OLED panels, with 37 pixels per degree" display. Zuckerberg said the glasses combine a private cinema, computer, and console into a pair of glasses. Our colleague Peter Kafka, who got a sneak peek, said he thought it would be great for watching movies, but couldn't immediately see other use cases. Unlike the Meta Quest, no controllers are needed. Meta said that by building AI into the glasses' operating system, users can just talk or use natural motions to do everything from playing movies to adjusting their workspace. In addition to projecting a virtual keyboard, Meta said the VR glasses will connect to a Mac or Windows PC wirelessly or via USB-C. "Pick up right where you left off on these screens, and bring your own keyboard and mouse," the company wrote. "With full-color passthrough, you can still see your keyboard, desk, mobile phone, and surroundings while you work." The Meta VR Glasses will be on sale in Spring 2027 for $1,299.99. Muse, packed into a Charm Mark Zuckerberg holds up a Muse Charm, a handheld device that activates Meta's AI assistant. Carlos Barria/Reuters The last product Zuckerberg unveiled at the keynote was a small handheld device called Muse Charm. The CEO said the device fits on a keychain and lets users cue up Muse without pulling out their phone. There's a display that shows off your custom Muse agent avatar too. "If you're not wearing glasses, this is going to be by far the fastest way to talk to your Muse and to show us what's going on around you," he said. Details on the price weren't shared. Zuckerberg said he anticipates the device will start shipping by the holidays. Muse gets a prominent placement thanks to a built-in button The Meta Muse AI agent, which acts as a personal assistant of sorts. Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto via Getty Images Meta is ensuring its devices are part of the Muse moment. The next generation of Ray-Ban Meta glasses has a "customizable action button for instant access to Meta AI." Current owners aren't being completely left out either. Meta said that "We're working on bringing Muse to our AI glasses." As for what you can do, Meta said you can ask the AI assistant for help with everything from personalized workouts to tracking down something while you're driving. All of it can be done without a phone. "You can also activate Muse by saying its name and telling it your request," the company said. Meta ditched the cameras for its Ray-Ban Audio glasses (or Ray-Ban hearing aids?) Meta If there's an antithesis to the Muse moment, it's the news around Meta's glasses. Some critics have called them "pervert glasses." A few venues have banned them outright. The company has tried to crack down on users who obscure cues that they are filming or posting harassing videos on Instagram. Meta is mounting a PR blitz. That's why it caught our attention that Meta is set to roll out glasses without a camera. Zuckerberg said that the glasses can "compensate for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss." The Ray-Ban Meta Audio costs $100 less than the latest generation glasses that include a camera. The glasses are available for preorder now and will ship on October 13. Experience Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe Meta says that its enhanced viewing experience will come to classic films like "Star Wars: A New Hope." Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via G