Meta Connect 2025: What’s Coming Next
Meta’s highly anticipated Meta Connect event is just around the corner, and while the spotlight will surely shine on the new display-enabled Meta Ray-Bans, insiders believe another product could completely redefine the way we interact with smart wearables. That product is a neural wristband, powered by next-generation EMG technology.
Rumors suggest that alongside the new AR glasses, Meta will finally introduce this muscle-sensing control band as an accessory. Unlike traditional controllers or camera-based gesture tracking, this band allows users to navigate digital environments using subtle wrist and finger movements—bringing Meta’s futuristic vision of neural input one step closer to reality.
Neural Wristband: A New Paradigm for Wearables
How EMG Technology Works
The wristband is based on electromyography (EMG), a technology that detects small electrical impulses generated by muscle activity through wearable sensors. Simply put, when you move your fingers or flex your wrist, the band captures the signals and translates them into digital commands.
This means that everyday gestures like pinching your fingers, swiping your thumb, or tapping your hand could replace physical controllers and even keyboard input in the future.
Why It Matters for AR and VR
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly called wrist-based EMG sensors a paradigm shift in computing. Unlike camera-based hand tracking, which requires visibility, the wristband works independently and seamlessly—even when your hands are out of sight. This makes it an ideal input system for AR glasses, VR headsets, and potentially even future smartwatches.
Project Orion and Hypernova: A Glimpse Into the Future
Last year, Meta demonstrated its Project Orion prototype, AR glasses powered by a wireless processor puck and paired with the early version of this wristband. The result was a futuristic interface where hand movements and eye tracking worked together for precise control.
At this year’s Meta Connect, the wristband may debut alongside a new line of display-enabled glasses, reportedly codenamed Hypernova. Unlike the current Meta Ray-Bans, which focus more on style and cameras, these upcoming glasses are expected to feature embedded displays for full AR experiences.
What the Neural Wristband Can Do
Gesture-based Controls
During early testing, the band could already handle simple navigation tasks:
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Scrolling through content
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Selecting items with a pinch
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Swiping and tapping gestures
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Potential for keyboard-free typing in the future
Fitness and Smartwatch Potential
Reports suggest that Meta might integrate the EMG system into a smartwatch-like device, expanding its use beyond AR and VR. Such a watch could combine gesture controls with health and fitness tracking, creating a multipurpose wearable that syncs with Meta’s wider ecosystem.
Price Expectations
The wristband is rumored to be packaged with Meta’s higher-end AR glasses at a starting price of around $800. While this positions it as a premium accessory, early adoption by tech enthusiasts could pave the way for more affordable versions in the coming years.
Competing with Apple and Beyond
The wristband could also serve as Meta’s competitive edge over rivals. Apple has introduced limited gesture controls through the Apple Watch and is reportedly developing gesture-enabled AirPods. Other companies are experimenting with finger-tracking through smart rings or camera systems.
But no other major brand has yet demonstrated a full neural wristband capable of interpreting subtle muscle signals. This gives Meta a unique opportunity to lead in next-gen wearable input technology.
More Expected from Meta Connect
While the neural wristband is the showstopper, users also hope to see improvements in Meta’s smart glasses lineup, including:
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Better battery life
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Improved cameras for social capture
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AI-powered features and integrations
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Enhanced durability and reliability
Meta will face stiff competition from upcoming Google, Samsung, Amazon, Snap, and TCL smart glasses, all expected to enter the AR market with embedded displays in the next year. However, the EMG wristband could set Meta apart, bringing something entirely new to the wearable ecosystem.
The Future of Neural Technology in Wearables
The debut of this neural control band marks more than just an accessory launch—it represents the evolution of human-computer interaction. By turning muscle impulses into commands, Meta could eventually eliminate the need for traditional controllers, keyboards, and even touchscreens.
Whether for AR navigation, VR gaming, or everyday productivity, the wristband could unlock a new frontier of intuitive, invisible computing—a future where your wrist becomes the controller for everything.