Meta's Ray-Ban Display Lacks a Crucial Component: A Reliable App Store
When it comes to the Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, one significant aspect is glaringly absent: an app store. This omission might seem like a reasonable expectation for a new product, but what's more concerning is that Meta has yet to provide a concrete plan for bringing apps to its only display-based smart glasses.
In September, Meta announced an SDK (Software Development Kit) for developers, which promises to unlock the potential of third-party applications. However, this program remains in early access, with no specific launch date set. Instead, Meta is relying on a 2026 timeline that might as well be written in fairy dust. This lack of direction is frustrating for those who have invested $800 in a pair of Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, leaving them to wait anxiously for more functionality to arrive.
Wearables from the past, such as the Apple Watch, suggest that third-party apps may not become a reality anytime soon. Developers might be hesitant to create new applications if they can't ensure compatibility and a steady stream of revenue. Meta's recent actions have only added fuel to this skepticism. The company's Chief Technology Officer, Andrew "Boz" Bosworth, has been blocking Quest developers who criticized the company for its closed-off approach to third-party development.
This isn't just a minor issue; it speaks volumes about Meta's commitment to supporting the developer community and fostering a robust ecosystem of apps. Without a reliable app store, the Meta Ray-Ban Display risks falling behind competitors like Google, which is already gearing up to release its own line of smart glasses with a built-in Android platform and access to the massive Google Play Store.
The future of smart eyewear hangs in the balance, and it's unclear whether people will be satisfied with limited functionality or if they'll hold out for a more robust app ecosystem. For Meta's sake, the company needs to provide clarity on its app development plans โ and fast. The lack of an app store is a ticking time bomb that could blow up in their faces when Google enters the fray.
When it comes to the Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, one significant aspect is glaringly absent: an app store. This omission might seem like a reasonable expectation for a new product, but what's more concerning is that Meta has yet to provide a concrete plan for bringing apps to its only display-based smart glasses.
In September, Meta announced an SDK (Software Development Kit) for developers, which promises to unlock the potential of third-party applications. However, this program remains in early access, with no specific launch date set. Instead, Meta is relying on a 2026 timeline that might as well be written in fairy dust. This lack of direction is frustrating for those who have invested $800 in a pair of Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, leaving them to wait anxiously for more functionality to arrive.
Wearables from the past, such as the Apple Watch, suggest that third-party apps may not become a reality anytime soon. Developers might be hesitant to create new applications if they can't ensure compatibility and a steady stream of revenue. Meta's recent actions have only added fuel to this skepticism. The company's Chief Technology Officer, Andrew "Boz" Bosworth, has been blocking Quest developers who criticized the company for its closed-off approach to third-party development.
This isn't just a minor issue; it speaks volumes about Meta's commitment to supporting the developer community and fostering a robust ecosystem of apps. Without a reliable app store, the Meta Ray-Ban Display risks falling behind competitors like Google, which is already gearing up to release its own line of smart glasses with a built-in Android platform and access to the massive Google Play Store.
The future of smart eyewear hangs in the balance, and it's unclear whether people will be satisfied with limited functionality or if they'll hold out for a more robust app ecosystem. For Meta's sake, the company needs to provide clarity on its app development plans โ and fast. The lack of an app store is a ticking time bomb that could blow up in their faces when Google enters the fray.