·meta

Meta's New Glasses Bet on Wristband Control: What's the Ideal Interaction for Smart Glasses?

Meta is once again making a major move in the smart glasses industry. According to a report from CNBC, Meta plans to release its Hypernova smart glasses at the Connect conference in September, with a potential price tag of around $800. Unlike Meta's previous collaboration with Ray-Ban, Hypernova will feature a small built-in display in the lens, allowing the right eye to view messages and images. For interaction, Hypernova will be equipped with an sEMG gesture wristband for controlling the glasses.

What are the current problems with smart glass interaction?

The reliance on specialized external peripherals highlights an inconvenient truth: if the built-in interaction methods for smart glasses were mature enough, manufacturers wouldn't need to design extra accessories like rings or wristbands. The earliest and most anticipated solution was voice control, famously featured on the Google Glass. However, its flaws quickly became apparent. Voice commands are socially awkward in public spaces and unreliable in noisy environments. Furthermore, voice is inefficient for complex operations beyond simple commands like "take a photo."

As an alternative, most brands offer touch controls on the temple of the glasses. But this method is also problematic. The limited surface area restricts gestures to simple taps and swipes, making it suitable only for basic tasks like answering calls or adjusting volume. More importantly, constantly touching or "rubbing" the side of your glasses is an unnatural and conspicuous gesture that undermines the goal of making the technology feel seamless and invisible, especially in professional settings like meetings or presentations.

Who is the best partner for smart glasses?

Looking at the current market, the smart ring appears to be the most practical external controller. It's more lightweight and discreet than a smartwatch, allowing for a dedicated one-to-one pairing with the glasses. The subtlety of a ring aligns perfectly with the "seamless" nature of smart glasses; for example, one could discreetly scroll through a novel with a simple thumb gesture during a meeting. This approach is already being adopted by brands like Meizu and Rokid.

meizu MYVU smart glasses

Meta's choice of a wristband, which uses sEMG technology to interpret electrical signals from forearm muscles into high-precision gestures, is technologically innovative. However, the wristband itself is obtrusive. It feels more like a bulky add-on than an integrated part of a daily wardrobe, clashing with the lightweight appeal of smart glasses. While it may attract early adopters, its long-term value is questionable. In the long run, linking smart glasses with smartwatches is the most logical solution. A smartwatch is already a mature interaction hub. This creates a "three-tiered system": complex tasks on the phone, medium-level interactions on the watch, and light notifications and displays on the glasses. This division of labor leverages each device's strengths, and the high social acceptance of watches gives this combination greater potential for mass adoption.

Are smart glasses following in the footsteps of VR?

In recent years, smart glasses seem to be mistakenly chasing the "immersion" offered by AR and VR headsets. This has led to heavier devices and more complex controls, moving them further away from the core goal of "everyday wear." The fundamental logic is different: smart glasses aim for a "seamless" integration into daily life, while VR aims for "immersion." Applying VR's interaction philosophy, such as needing a large, precise controller like a wristband, is a dead end for this category.

The key to mainstream success for smart glasses is solving the complete "input + output" loop. While displays have addressed the output, finding a natural way to operate them is the next critical challenge. Whether it's rings or watches, the winning solutions will be those that align with daily habits and are easily accepted by the public. The battle for the dominant interaction method is the next frontier for the smart glasses industry, and ultimately, their success will not be determined by spec sheets, but by whether people are willing to wear them every single day.

Back to blog

Related Posts

  • _{region} ( _{language} )

    • _{area}

    _{region}
    _{language}