Key points
- Meta will allow outside developers to create apps for its Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses.
- This expands functionality beyond the existing limited integrations, such as Spotify and Audible.
- Developers can utilize the glasses’ built-in sensors and audio capabilities.
- Early partners include Twitch, Disney, and 18Birdies, showcasing diverse app potential. A developer preview will launch before wider availability in 2026.
Meta is significantly expanding the capabilities of its Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses by opening its platform to third-party app developers. This announcement, made during the company’s Connect event, marks a major shift from the previously limited selection of pre-integrated apps.
Developers will now have access to the glasses’ internal sensors and audio features, enabling them to craft unique user experiences leveraging Meta’s multimodal AI.
This move promises a considerable boost in functionality for existing Meta smart glasses users. Early partnerships with prominent companies highlight the breadth of potential applications. Twitch, for instance, is developing livestreaming capabilities that allow users to broadcast directly from their glasses.
Disney is exploring an app designed for use within its theme parks, providing interactive information and enhancing the visitor experience, as demonstrated in a demo showcasing a user querying ride details. Golf app 18Birdies is also on board, creating an integration that will offer players real-time yardage and club recommendations.
Importantly, these initial collaborations appear to focus on Meta’s non-display glasses, suggesting that even owners of the first-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses will benefit from this expansion of functionality. While the inclusion of Meta’s newest Ray-Ban Display frames remains unclear at this stage, the potential for even richer app experiences with a display screen is significant.
Meta’s “Wearables Device Access Toolkit” will initially be released as a limited developer preview. A broader rollout is planned for 2026, suggesting a phased approach to ensure a smooth integration of third-party apps onto the platform. This strategic move positions Meta to further solidify its presence in the burgeoning smart eyewear market, fostering innovation and competition.
