Navigation is moving from the phone in your hand to the glasses on your face. In September 2026, Meta announced new features for its Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, including hands-free cycling directions, public-transit departures and a video-call hologram.
The most practical update is heads-up navigation. Users can ask for directions by voice and see turn-by-turn cycling instructions on the glasses’ display while keeping their phone in a pocket. This could be useful for cyclists who want to avoid repeatedly looking down at a screen. The feature is scheduled to launch first in the United States and Canada.
The glasses can also show real-time public-transit departures. Commuters can check when the next bus or train is due without unlocking a phone. Meta says walking directions may use visual landmarks as well as street names. Instead of saying “turn left at Third Street,” the glasses might tell users to turn at a yellow house. This could make directions easier to follow in unfamiliar areas.
The most futuristic feature is designed for video calls. After a short self-capture in the Meta AI app, users can create a photorealistic digital version of their face. Meta says this hologram responds to the user’s voice and imitates expressions based on what the person says and how they say it. The company plans to begin an Early Access rollout on WhatsApp for users in the United States later in the fall.
The hologram could make hands-free calls feel more personal. A user might cook or walk around while the person on the other end still sees a digital representation of their face. However, the feature also raises questions about authenticity. Call participants may want to know whether they are seeing a live image, a generated likeness or an AI interpretation.
For eyewear shoppers, Meta Ray-Ban Display combines a familiar frame with a small personal display, voice control and AI assistance. Meta says the glasses are expanding to the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy and Germany, with online ordering and retail availability being introduced progressively.
The technology still has limits. Battery life, internet access and local transit data may affect performance. Cyclists and pedestrians must also stay alert and follow safety rules instead of relying entirely on the display. Even so, the update suggests that future navigation could become more convenient, subtle and closely integrated with everyday eyewear.
Sources1. Meta Newsroom, “New Features for Meta Ray-Ban Display,” September 23, 2026: https://about.fb.com/news/2026/09/new-features-for-meta-ray-ban-display-navigation-hologram/2. Meta Newsroom, “The Biggest News From Connect 2026,” September 24, 2026: https://about.fb.com/news/2026/09/the-biggest-news-from-connect-2026/3. Meta Newsroom, “Meta Ray-Ban Display: AI Glasses With an EMG Wristband,” September 17, 2025: https://about.fb.com/news/2025/09/meta-ray-ban-display-ai-glasses-emg-wristband/