Meta unveils two $499 Ray-Ban smart glasses for prescription users

March 31 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms launched ‌two new Ray-Ban ​prescription ​smart glasses on Tuesday, expanding its offerings in an area that has become one of the few breakthrough successes in the race for ‌artificial intelligence-powered gadgets.

The new glasses, which are available for pre-order in ⁠the U.S. starting at $499, will broaden options for prescription eyewear users. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in January ‌that "billions of people wear glasses ‌or contacts for vision correction."

Meta said the new products - Ray-Ban Meta Blayzer Optics and Ray-Ban Meta Scriber Optics - would become available at optical retailers in the ​U.S. and select international markets on April 14.

The new models will feature overextension hinges, interchangeable nose pads and optician-adjustable temple tips to make them adaptable ⁠to each user's unique face shape.

Shares of Meta were up nearly 4% in morning trading. They have fallen around ​19% so far this year.

The Facebook parent plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in its pursuit of "personal superintelligence," where ​advanced gadgets, among other products, would bring the ‌benefits of AI to individual users. Meta develops its AI glasses in partnership with Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica.

Global smart glasses shipments reached ⁠9.6 million units last year, with Meta accounting for about 76.1% of the total, International Data Corporation's research director Ramon Llamas said, adding that global smart glasses shipments are expected to ⁠reach 13.4 million units in 2026.

The social media company launched Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses at $799 last ​year, its first model with a built-in display, enabling users to read messages, follow navigation directions and interact with AI services without using a phone.

Earlier this year, however, Meta delayed the ‌model's global rollout, citing a supply shortage and strong demand. The Display smart glasses can also be ordered with prescription lenses ‌for an additional $200.

Smaller rival Snap has established an independent subsidiary for its augmented reality ⁠smart glasses and is gearing up ‌to launch the product for ​consumers. Meanwhile, Google has partnered with Warby Parker to launch AI glasses.

(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda and ‌Sahal Muhammed)

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