Meta CTO: Smart Glasses Won't Replace Phones by 2025, VR/AR Pivotal

Meta's Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, recently shared his thoughts on the future of smart glasses during an interview at the Bloomberg Tech summit in San Francisco. Bosworth believes that while smart glasses have significant potential, they are not yet ready to replace smartphones. He emphasized that smartphones are highly integrated into our lives due to their convenience and the extensive ecosystem of software they support, which makes it challenging for new technologies to displace them quickly. Bosworth also praised Apple's Vision Pro headset, acknowledging the engineering prowess behind it. However, he pointed out that Apple's device is too heavy to wear comfortably, a common issue with many first-generation products in the tech industry. "From an engineering standpoint, it's wonderful and congratulations to that team. From a product standpoint, you can tell it's their first offering in the space," he commented. He added that it typically takes multiple generations of a product for companies to refine and perfect the user experience, and the Vision Pro fell short in terms of weight distribution and overall comfort. This sentiment aligns with Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, who previously stated in a podcast with The Verge that people are not likely to give up their phones anytime soon. Instead, he envisions a gradual shift where smart glasses will complement smartphones, allowing users to leave their phones in their pockets more often. Zuckerberg further elaborated that 2025 will be a defining year for Meta's Reality Labs, the division responsible for developing augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) products. He noted that if the upcoming generation of Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses reaches sales of 5-10 million units, it could signal a breakthrough for the category, similar to other disruptive consumer electronics. As of February 2023, EssilorLuxottica, the company producing the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, reported selling 2 million pairs since their October 2023 debut. This is a promising start, especially considering that the glasses outsold traditional Ray-Bans before the AI features were even fully launched. By the end of 2026, EssilorLuxottica aims to produce 10 million smart glasses annually for Meta, indicating strong confidence in the technology's potential. Google's recent announcement of partnerships with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to develop smart glasses using Android XR further underscores the growing interest in this market. Additionally, there are rumors that Apple is planning to release smart glasses by 2026, adding another major player to the competition. Bosworth sees this increased competition as a positive sign, suggesting that the clock has started on a race to refine and improve AR and VR devices. "Suddenly, we go from toiling in the realms of obscurity to being very much in the world with a product that is very attractive to consumers, and thus competitors," he said. Bosworth believes that the progress Meta makes in 2023 will be disproportionately valuable compared to previous years, as it sets the stage for future advancements and market adoption. However, Bosworth acknowledged that despite the rising competition, the true test of the technology's success lies in market acceptance and the creation of industry standards. "The market is actually, especially when it comes to hardware, a trailing indicator," he explained. "So you look for early indicators. To some degree, you do have to have a level of confidence and taste in-house." This philosophy, influenced by Sheryl Sandberg, Meta's former Chief Operating Officer, emphasizes the importance of executing the company's plans effectively rather than focusing solely on external competition. Boz also revealed that Meta has a series of ambitious plans for the year and is on track to meet its goals. "What we’ll know by the end of the year is whether we executed on our plan or not," he said. "What we’ll know in five years time is whether that was enough." Industry Insider Evaluations and Company Profiles Industry experts concur with Bosworth and Zuckerberg's cautious optimism. They note that while the early sales figures for Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses are encouraging, the technology still faces several hurdles, particularly in user comfort and the integration of advanced AI features. The success of smart glasses will heavily depend on how well they can offer a seamless and enjoyable user experience that matches or exceeds the convenience and functionality of current smartphones. Meta, founded as Facebook in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, has transformed significantly over the years, branching out into AR/VR through its Reality Labs division. The company's pivot towards these technologies reflects its long-term strategy to innovate beyond social media and into the realm of immersive computing experiences. EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in eyewear, has partnered with Meta to bring the Ray-Ban Smart Glasses to market, leveraging its expertise in optics and design to enhance the product's appeal and functionality. Google and Apple, two of the tech giants known for their influential products, are also making strides in the smart glasses market. Their entry is expected to accelerate innovation and drive the technology's maturation, potentially benefiting all players in the field. Bosworth's comments highlight the ongoing race to perfect smart glasses, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and a focus on the user experience. If Meta and its competitors can address these challenges, the future of smart glasses as the next major computing platform looks increasingly bright.