As wearable technology evolves beyond novelty into essential gear, Meta’s collaboration with Oakley marks a strategic pivot toward performance-driven design. The Oakley HSTN Limited Edition smart glasses aren’t just an incremental update—they address critical pain points of earlier models while carving a niche for athletic users who demand durability and extended utility. With double the battery life of Meta’s Ray-Bans and significant hardware upgrades, they signal a maturation in smart eyewear that could reshape developer approaches to on-the-go AI integration.

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Power Where It Matters Most

For athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, battery life is non-negotiable. The HSTN’s 8-hour runtime (up from 4 hours in Ray-Bans) and 48-hour reserve in the reinforced charging case solve a key limitation. During rigorous testing, this allowed uninterrupted use during long hikes and runs, with the IPX4 water resistance ensuring reliability in diverse conditions. The upgraded 3K video capture—surpassing the Ray-Ban’s 1080p—proved transformative for POV documentation. Footage remained stable during motion, with crisp audio pickup from the five-mic array, making it a viable alternative to action cameras like GoPro but with the added benefit of AI assistance.

"The POV shots and audio clarity during activity feel surreal—like having a production studio on your face," notes the reviewer, highlighting the glasses' dual role as both tool and chronicler.

Engineering Comfort and Intelligence

Despite matching the Ray-Bans’ 49-gram weight, the Oakley design offers superior ergonomics. The optimized nose bridge distributes pressure evenly, crucial for extended wear during physical exertion. Touchpad controls and voice commands via "Hey Meta" enable frictionless interaction: adjusting volume, capturing media, or querying Meta AI for real-time translation or contextual insights. The open-ear speakers delivered robust audio quality even in windy environments, reducing dependency on separate headphones.

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The Developer Implications

This iteration underscores a broader trend: wearables are shifting from passive accessories to active computational platforms. The HSTN’s hardware—especially its enhanced sensors and battery—enables persistent AI interactions previously constrained by power limitations. Developers should note the emphasis on multimodal input (voice, touch, vision), which demands more adaptive algorithms for noisy, dynamic environments. Meta’s choice to prioritize athletic use cases also reveals a roadmap for context-aware applications, from form coaching via computer vision to safety alerts during high-intensity activities.

At $499, the HSTN targets a premium segment, but its success could accelerate industry-wide innovation in battery efficiency and ruggedized design. As these glasses blur boundaries between fashion, fitness, and functionality, they challenge creators to build experiences that leverage always-available sensing—without compromising the spontaneity of real-world adventures.

Source: Adapted from Sabrina Ortiz's hands-on review for ZDNET, July 2025. Original article: I spent a weekend with Meta's new Oakley smart glasses