Bigger Than Smartphones
Via Ray ban meta
I know, I know. You’re skeptical. “I’m not going to wear glasses.”
Yes, you are.
That’s exactly what people said about smartphones. Before the iPhone, people swore they’d never need a tiny computer in their pocket. Before email people laughed at the idea of communicating over the internet. And yet, here we are.
AR glasses are not some distant sci-fi dream anymore. They are coming, and they will replace smartphones. And once you see what they can actually do, you won’t just want them—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
Isn't This Just Another Metaverse?
Lately, Mark Zuckerberg announced (again) that he’s going to pour tens of billions of dollars into developing AR glasses. And naturally, that raises a question: Is this another Metaverse?
After all, he already burned billions trying to push the Metaverse—an idea no one actually wanted—so are we about to see the same thing happen again?
In my opinion, the answer is a definite no.
The Metaverse was technology looking for a purpose. It was a vague, undefined concept that never answered the most important question: Why? Why would anyone want to put on a bulky headset and live in a weird, clunky virtual space? It was a solution searching for a problem, and the world responded with a collective shrug.
AR is the exact opposite.
With AR, the use cases aren’t just clear—they’re abundant. This isn’t some forced attempt to create a digital world. This is about enhancing the real world by making the invisible layers of digital information instantly accessible. Let me give you an example:
The Invisible Digital Layer
Via peshkov
Imagine you’ve just moved to a new city and need to rent an apartment. Today, that means Searching online, Scrolling through listings, Flipping between maps and photos, Figuring out what’s actually available
Now, imagine you have a pair of AR glasses:
Instead of hunting for information, you’d simply walk down the street, and any available apartments would highlight themselves in real time. You’d see:
✔ The rent price floating over the building
✔ The move-in date
✔ The contact information for the landlord
✔ Virtual tour options with a tap
All without pulling out your phone. You can choose to read the information, or walk right past it.
Or let’s say you’re looking for a place to eat. Instead of Googling reviews, restaurant ratings would hover above each location. Special offers? Displayed in real-time. Operating hours? Right there in your view, Facing you, featuring only the information relevant to you.
This isn’t about creating a new reality—it’s about revealing the one that already exists. The digital layer of the world, no longer trapped inside your screen.
But It’s not just apartments, shops, and restaurants—it’s people too.
I don’t know about you, but I’m terrible with names. I could work somewhere for three years and still blank on half my coworkers’ names. With AR glasses? No problem.
✔ People’s names could float above their heads like an RPG game.
✔ Birthdays? Instantly visible—so you never forget to say Happy Birthday.
✔ If they opt in, you could even see personal details—their interests, their job title, or the names of their kids.
All of this already exists—we just have to dig into our phones to find it. With AR glasses, it would be seamless, always available, and completely passive.
The Metaverse tried to make us escape reality. AR glasses will make reality better—and once you get a taste of what they do, you won’t want to go back.
The Future Is Here
Via Even Realities
This isn’t some far-off sci-fi fantasy. It’s happening right now.
Meta’s smart glasses are already on the market, and more companies are following fast. The only thing holding AR glasses back has been the display, which is why most smart glasses today ditch the screen entirely and rely on built-in AI that talks to you through discreet speakers. They work great, but they aren’t true AR—they’re just a stepping stone.
In previous years, we’ve seen attempts at AR glasses, but they were big, clunky, and awkward, with bulky cameras, oversized screens, and a design that made you look like a cyborg. Nobody wanted to wear them because they looked ridiculous.
But that’s not the case anymore.
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses? They look exactly like normal Ray-Bans. Other smart glasses on the market today? They’re indistinguishable from regular eyewear. You wouldn’t even know if your friend was wearing them.
At CES 2025, we saw multiple companies showcasing AR glasses with tiny, discreet displays that don’t block your view—they simply add a digital layer on top of reality.
This isn’t VR—this isn’t about cutting yourself off from the world. It’s about making the real world better.
This year, the technology is already impressive. Next year? It’ll be even better. And the year after that? Game-changing.
With so many practical, useful reasons to wear AR glasses, I have absolutely zero hesitation in saying that within the next two years, you’re going to want to wear them. And odds are, you will.
This isn’t the next Metaverse. This is the next smartphone. And you will wear it.
