Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses to get major update in late 2026

Meta has detailed upcoming enhancements for its Ray-Ban smart glasses, with a major update scheduled for release in the second half of 2026. The revisions aim to refine the user experience across several key areas, including navigation, notification management, and video calling capabilities.

The navigation system is being improved, particularly for pedestrian use. Voice prompts will now incorporate environmental cues, guiding users with directions like "turn left at the yellow house ahead," rather than solely relying on street names. New modes for cycling and public transport navigation are also being introduced.

Users will gain greater control over the notifications displayed by the smart glasses. A new feature will allow individuals to select which types of notifications appear and which are suppressed, thereby reducing distractions and improving usability.

Furthermore, Meta plans to roll out a "Hologram" avatar feature later this year to users in the United States participating in an Early Access program, with initial support for WhatsApp video calls. Users will create their avatar by scanning their face and recording a brief voice sample. During calls, the AI-generated avatar will represent the user, with facial expressions dynamically updated based on voice input.

An "Explore" application is also set to be added to the Ray-Ban smart glasses, functioning as a curated space for third-party web applications. This aims to make it easier for users to discover new functionalities and services directly through their eyewear. Meta has not yet announced specific plans regarding potential future development into a full app store.