Meta Oakley smart glasses could arrive this week. Here's everything we know

Meta is expanding its smart glasses offerings through a partnership with Oakley, with an official unveiling expected on Friday, June 20th. The collaboration, similar to Meta's existing partnership with Ray-Ban, aims to target athletes with a sportier design, potentially featuring a centrally located camera for recording athletic videos, according to earlier reports. While specific details and pricing remain unknown, Meta's move signals continued investment in the smart glasses market amid competition from Google and Apple.

Analysis

Meta Platforms (META) is set to unveil a new line of smart glasses in partnership with Oakley, an EssilorLuxottica brand, with an official announcement expected this Friday, June 20th. This strategic move expands Meta's footprint in the wearables market, building on its previous collaboration with Ray-Ban, another EssilorLuxottica brand, whose smart glasses were introduced two years ago and retail between $240 and $300. The upcoming Oakley Meta glasses are reportedly designed to appeal to athletes, potentially incorporating a centrally located camera optimized for recording sports activities, a design distinction from the current Ray-Ban models. While concrete details regarding specific features, technical specifications, or pricing are yet to be released, this initiative underscores Meta's ongoing commitment to developing its AR and smart glasses capabilities. The market sentiment surrounding this development is moderately positive, particularly for Meta, indicating investor optimism about its product diversification. This launch occurs within a competitive landscape, with Google (GOOGL, GOOG), Apple (AAPL), and Snap Inc. (SNAP) also pursuing advancements in AR eyewear. Furthermore, Meta is reportedly working on a third generation of its smart glasses, which may feature a built-in display, with more information potentially emerging at the Meta Connect event in the fall.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors should monitor the official announcement on June 20th for specific product features, pricing, and initial market reception of the Meta-Oakley smart glasses, as these details will be crucial for assessing the product's potential success and impact on Meta's wearables segment.
• Consider Meta's sustained investment in the AR/smart glasses market as a long-term growth driver, but remain cognizant of the highly competitive landscape involving major tech players like Apple and Google, which could influence market share and profitability.