Meta used Connect 2026 to expand its AI activity in software and hardware simultaneously. It presented a new generation of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, an Audio model without a camera, new Muse capabilities and a preview of VR glasses due only in 2027.
The most important part is distinguishing products already on sale, those opened for preorder and features still being planned. Some capabilities shown at the event are not yet available, and some have no precise Israeli date either.
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 are available now
The third generation of Ray-Ban Meta launched at a starting price of 449 dollars. Meta presents a slimmer design, six microphones, 3K video recording and a customizable action button.
According to the company, battery life reaches up to nine hours, but this is a manufacturer figure requiring independent testing under different conditions. Price and availability may vary between markets.
Ray-Ban Meta Audio without a camera
Meta also opened preorders for Ray-Ban Meta Audio from 349 dollars. This model drops the camera and focuses on open-ear audio and voice interaction with Meta AI.
The company said the glasses weigh 43 grams, offer up to 12 hours of use according to manufacturer figures and up to another 48 hours through the charging case. Shipping is due to begin October 13.
Removing the camera creates a product different from the series' other models. It may suit people wanting audio and voice access to AI who prefer not to wear a camera permanently.
Muse gains broader capabilities
Meta is also expanding Muse, the agent integrated into its products. Computer use was announced on Mac, allowing the agent to act within the computing environment rather than only converse or generate answers.
Muse is also expected to reach AI glasses in the coming months. This is a future plan, not a capability already available on every pair of glasses.
The company also presented additional service and app connections. No complete picture of pricing, subscription terms or regional availability for every Muse capability was published, so do not assume every option operates identically in every country and product.
New VR glasses only in 2027
Meta also presented new VR glasses weighing approximately 100 grams, with a planned price of 1,299.99 dollars and a spring 2027 launch.
Although presented at Connect, this product has not launched now. Specifications, software, availability and even central features may change before launch. Meta's experience-quality descriptions, including comparison to "IMAX-grade", are company descriptions, not independent tests.
What about Israel?
Meta said some of its AI glasses are expected to reach Israel later in 2026. It provided no precise Israeli launch date or local price in the announcement.
No complete picture of Hebrew support across voice and AI capabilities was published either. Anyone considering an Israeli purchase therefore needs to distinguish a market-expansion statement from actual availability in shops and the local language.
The bigger picture
Meta continues building its AI strategy around combining a software agent with a device worn throughout the day. Connect 2026 shows the company is not satisfied with adding a model to chat, but wants Muse and Meta AI to become a layer accompanying computer, audio and glasses use.
However, the gap between vision and product remains significant. Some hardware is available, some on preorder, and some presented capabilities will arrive only later. For consumers, this is currently the most important distinction.
Not all "AI glasses" are the same product
Meta's announcements include several different categories in the same broad field. Gen 3 has a camera, Meta Audio drops the camera and focuses on audio, and Ray-Ban Display is a different product with a display. The VR glasses presented for 2027 are not another Ray-Ban Meta version either.
This distinction matters for price, privacy and uses. A user seeking photography, visual navigation or camera-based interaction will get a different experience from one preferring camera-free glasses. It is therefore inaccurate to automatically assign every model the same AI capabilities.