Skip to main content

Meta's Muse AI Lands on Glasses, But Can It Escape the Graveyard of Failed Gadgets?

At Meta's Connect conference on September 23, the company didn't just unveil new gadgets—it made a clear bet: AI, smart glasses, and VR are the future, and the metaverse? Barely mentioned. For a full hour, Zuckerberg and his team talked up Muse, Meta's personal AI agent, now woven into almost everything the company makes. His pitch: "Make the future belong to everyone." The goal? A superintelligence used by billions.

Glasses for Every Face (and Privacy Worry)

Meta kicked off with a pair of Ray-Ban Meta Audio Glasses that skip the camera entirely. Starting at $349, they weigh about 43 grams and focus on sound—music, podcasts, calls, and voice commands through Muse. Battery life hits 12 hours, or 48 more with the case. It's a direct nod to privacy concerns that have dogged smart glasses for years.

Then came the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3), starting at $449. Thinner, more sunglasses-like, and with customizable buttons. It packs a 12MP camera and six mics that Meta says cut background noise by over 90%. Battery life: 9 hours. The company also dropped prices on some models—the Meta Adventurer now starts at $249. By the end of 2026, Meta promises over 100 AI glasses across Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Meta Glasses lines.

The real head-turner, though, was a lightweight VR device called Meta VR Glasses. It looks like regular glasses, with a separate pocket-sized computing puck. At just 100 grams, it's about one-fifth the weight of the 2023 Quest 3. Expect it in spring 2027, starting at $1,299. Zuckerberg also teased Muse Charm, a Tamagotchi-like terminal with a small screen, mic, and speaker, coming by year's end. No price yet.

Image

Muse Wants to Be Your Everything—Even Your Email Buddy

On the software side, Muse is now baked into the glasses. Say "Hey Muse" and it can guide workouts, log meals, help you shop by looking at products, and understand your surroundings. It even gets its own email address, so you can message it directly. The Mac version can control your computer, turning Muse into a full-blown agent that handles tasks for you.

And the numbers are impressive. According to Sensor Tower, as of September 21, Muse—launched September 8—topped the free charts on both the US App Store and Google Play. Meta's stock jumped. Right now Muse is free, but Zuckerberg hinted at a "small fee" for transactions down the road. Meta is also adding hearing enhancement for mild-to-moderate hearing loss later this year, accessible via a Meta One subscription or a one-time $149 purchase.

On September 23, Meta stock rose 1.02% to close at $744.10, giving it a $1.9 trillion market cap. But CNBC points out a sobering fact: Meta is wading into a graveyard of failed AI hardware—Humane AI Pin, Rabbit R1. Will Muse Charm survive? Only time will tell.

Key Points:

  • Meta launched camera-free Ray-Ban Audio Glasses ($349) and Ray-Ban Gen 3 ($449), plus a 100g VR headset coming in 2027.
  • Muse AI now integrates into glasses, has its own email, and can control your Mac.
  • Muse topped US app charts, but Meta faces a tough history of AI gadget flops.
  • Hearing enhancement features arrive later this year for $149 or via subscription.