Event Format and Schedule
Meta is gearing up for its annual Meta Connect conference, a showcase of its latest developments in AR, VR, AI, and the metaverse. This year’s event takes a new format. CEO Mark Zuckerberg will deliver the opening keynote on September 17 at 5PM PT, followed by a developer keynote and additional sessions on September 18 at 10AM PT. The adjusted schedule signals that the 2025 edition could be one of the most eventful Connect gatherings yet.
Next-Generation Smart Glasses
The centerpiece of this year’s announcements will be Meta’s next wave of smart glasses. The highlight: a pair of frames, internally known as Hypernova and possibly branded as Celeste, that will be Meta’s first consumer glasses to feature a display. The display will not deliver full augmented reality but will allow users to view notifications, photo previews, and other lightweight content.
The glasses are expected to retail at about $800 and could be released under a Prada co-brand, making them a premium product with a narrower audience compared to Meta’s $300 Ray-Ban line. They will also feature an EMG wristband, enabling gesture-based control.
Alongside Celeste, Meta may debut updated Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses without a display but with improved cameras, longer battery life, and expanded AI support. Developer access to the glasses platform is also anticipated, which would open the door to more third-party integrations beyond Spotify and Audible.
AI at the Center
Artificial intelligence will again dominate Meta Connect. Meta AI, which already serves a billion users monthly, is set for new updates across the company’s apps and devices. Reports suggest a lineup of non-English speaking, character-driven bots could be unveiled. At the same time, Meta continues to face scrutiny over chatbot safety and teen access.
Zuckerberg is also expected to address his ambitious vision for superintelligence, an initiative that has reorganized Meta’s AI teams and spurred aggressive recruitment. However, progress on Llama 4, Meta’s next-generation large language model, has reportedly been delayed, raising questions about the company’s ability to maintain its open-source AI commitments.
Metaverse Updates Still Coming
While AI has overshadowed the metaverse in recent years, VR will not be absent from Connect. Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth has teased upcoming Horizon Worlds software updates, including the integration of AI-powered NPCs. We may also hear about partnerships with ASUS, Lenovo, and Xbox on third-party headsets running Meta Horizon OS.
Additionally, Meta may showcase updates to its holographic Codec avatars, previewed last year. While full versions require advanced sensors, a simplified version could arrive on the Quest 3 or be integrated into WhatsApp and Messenger video calls.
Outlook
Meta Connect 2025 is shaping up as a turning point for the company’s hardware and AI ambitions. With premium smart glasses, expanded AI features, and ongoing investment in VR, Meta aims to maintain its role as a leader in immersive and intelligent technology. Whether these innovations resonate with consumers — and balance accessibility with ambition — will be the real test in the months ahead.
