Meta announced Tuesday it is halting the planned international rollout of its Ray-Ban Display smart glasses due to unexpectedly high demand and supply constraints. The company had intended to launch the glasses in France, Italy, Canada, and the U.K. in early 2026.
According to Meta, the decision stems from overwhelming interest in the product since its launch last fall, leading to product waitlists extending well into 2026. "Because of this unprecedented demand and limited inventory, we’ve decided to pause our planned international expansion," the company stated.
Meta will now concentrate on fulfilling orders within the United States while reassessing its strategy for international availability. The Ray-Ban Display glasses, unveiled in September, are controlled by the Meta Neural Band, a wristband that detects subtle hand gestures.
The delay highlights the challenges tech companies face in accurately forecasting demand for innovative products and managing global supply chains. The smart glasses market, while still nascent, is attracting significant attention as companies explore the potential of augmented reality and wearable computing. The postponement could allow competitors in the European and Canadian markets to gain ground.
At CES this week in Las Vegas, Meta showcased new features for the glasses and the Neural Band, including a teleprompter function for delivering prepared remarks and the ability to transcribe finger movements on surfaces into digital messages. These features are intended to enhance the glasses' utility and appeal.
The company did not provide a specific timeline for when it expects to resume its international expansion plans. The focus remains on meeting existing U.S. demand and optimizing production to address the current inventory limitations.
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