NEW YORK, April 2: Meta is reportedly planning to release new augmented reality (AR) glasses, codenamed “Hypernova,” which could cost upwards of $1,000. These glasses will feature a small heads-up display in the right lens, offering users notifications, photos, and possibly directions from apps like Google Maps. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, some versions of the glasses may cost as much as $1,300 or $1,400.

The Hypernova glasses are expected to launch this year, potentially at Meta's annual Meta Connect conference. The first iteration will include a small monocular display that shows information from your phone, similar to what’s found on other AR glasses. It may also include an upgraded sensor for higher-quality photos compared to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which currently use a 12 MP camera.

The design of the Hypernova glasses will resemble Meta's previous work, such as the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which start at $300. These smart glasses use physical button controls to take photos or videos and feature onboard speakers for listening to music or making calls. It’s expected that the Hypernova glasses will include similar physical controls to the Ray-Ban glasses, potentially using a capacitive sensor on the right earpiece.

However, the real challenge for Meta lies in the software. The Hypernova glasses will reportedly feature a home screen with horizontal app icons, giving users access to apps for photos, the camera, and maps. The glasses will continue to rely on the Meta View app, which is used with the Ray-Ban Meta glasses to move photos from the glasses to a phone. However, users have often criticized the app for being difficult to use, and there are concerns about how the Hypernova glasses will handle notifications, especially since the Meta View app is heavily dependent on the operating systems of other companies' phones.

Meta has long struggled with software limitations, and the company’s web-based approach often conflicts with the closed ecosystems of other platforms, like iOS. If the Hypernova glasses are similarly restricted, they could face the same fate as many previous smart glasses, which ultimately failed to gain traction.

Leaks within Meta suggest that the company plans to release multiple types of smart glasses this year, including a pair of Oakley-branded glasses for athletes. While Meta is aiming for a broader range of devices, the success of these glasses will depend on how well they can integrate with smartphones from other companies. Without a significant breakthrough in software, these new glasses may lead to more frustration than excitement.