Meta Connect 2025: What to expect and how to watch

Meta Connect 2025 is set to commence on Wednesday evening, marking the tech giant's most significant conference of the year. This event promises to showcase a range of innovations, most notably the highly anticipated AI-powered smart glasses created in collaboration with Ray-Ban and Oakley. Industry insiders speculate that there might be additional revelations regarding Meta's ambitions in the Metaverse and developments related to its Quest headsets. The company has reportedly sold millions of its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and earlier this year introduced a cutting-edge version designed specifically for athletes in partnership with Oakley. As Silicon Valley continues to embrace the era of AI wearables, Meta appears to be at the forefront of this technological evolution. This year’s Connect is particularly significant as it marks the first conference since the establishment of Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL), led by former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang, which aims to push the boundaries of AI technology. Meta's ongoing quest to solidify its position in the AI landscape makes this year's Connect especially crucial. The event will kick off at 5 p.m. PT, featuring a keynote address from CEO Mark Zuckerberg presented live from the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park. Attendees can register for a free livestream on Meta's website, with plans for Zuckerberg’s speech to last about an hour. For those wishing to experience the event virtually, the keynote will also be accessible through Horizon on Meta Quest headsets and on the official Meta for Developers Facebook page. On Thursday, a Developer Keynote is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT, focusing on new experiences that can be created with Meta's devices. Following this, a discussion will occur between Reality Labs Chief Scientist Michael Abrash and VP Richard Newcombe, where they will delve into the future of glasses equipped with contextual AI and how Meta aims to redefine computing. Recent leaks have hinted at exciting announcements for Meta Connect 2025, particularly regarding a new line of smart glasses dubbed Hypernova. An earlier video on Meta's YouTube channel—now removed—featured Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses equipped with a heads-up display, cameras, microphones, and an onboard AI assistant. Control of the glasses was demonstrated through a wristband, introduced last year and operated via subtle hand gestures, suggesting a potential announcement and launch of the Hypernova glasses at this event. Additionally, Meta is poised to reveal another iteration of smart glasses developed in partnership with Oakley, featuring a unique design tailored for athletes. This new model is expected to include a single centered camera, distinguishing it from previous designs that featured dual cameras. While there is speculation that Meta may not unveil any new Quest headsets during this Connect, discussions about the Metaverse will still be part of Zuckerberg's presentation. Furthermore, updates regarding Meta's AI initiatives, particularly from MSL, are anticipated, as the company continues to evolve its AI applications amidst significant investments and industry talent acquisition. Currently, Meta's standalone AI app is in a transitional phase, serving both as a control interface for smart glasses and a chatbot, and updates to streamline its functionality may be on the horizon.