A new way to type, swipe, and interact silently
At the Meta Connect conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced a new wearable: a wristband capable of detecting subtle hand gestures to control smart glasses. Using the device, Zuckerberg demonstrated sending text messages and swiping through photos without touching a phone or screen.
“A lot of the time you’re around other people, so it’s good to just be able to type without anyone seeing,” said Zuckerberg, showcasing the wristband in action. He claimed he could type up to 30 words per minute through hand movements alone.
Glasses upgrade and bundled tech release
The wristband is designed to work in tandem with Meta’s latest $799 Ray-Ban smart glasses, an update of the product first launched in 2023 with EssilorLuxottica. According to Luxottica’s CEO Francesco Milleri, 2 million units had already been sold by February.
The new bundle, called Meta Ray-Ban Display with Meta Neural Band, will go on sale starting September 30. Unlike smartwatches or fitness trackers, Meta’s wristband won’t be sold separately. Its purpose is entirely focused on enhancing smart glasses interaction.
Replacing screens with neural signals
Zuckerberg framed the product as a technological leap: “We are replacing the keyboard, mouse, touch screen, buttons, dials with the ability to send signals from your brain with little muscle movements that the neural band will pick up.” The wristband allows users to perform commands through barely visible movements, enabling discreet control.
He also demonstrated gesture-based music control and attempted to answer a phone call with a hand movement, though it failed due to Wi-Fi issues. Still, the showcase emphasized Meta’s ambition to redefine how humans interact with devices.
Years in development, now market-ready
Meta’s interest in wearable tech goes back to 2019, when it acquired CTRL-labs, a startup focused on neural input through wristbands. Early prototypes were seen as experimental, but the company now believes the product is ready for consumer launch.
Wearable technology continues to expand, with companies testing devices for fingers, necks, and now wrists. In July, the Trump administration introduced a data-sharing initiative that could support the development of health-focused wearables, potentially boosting Meta’s efforts.
