Imagine hitting the trails with a pair of smart glasses that not only look the part but also bring technology seamlessly into your athletic routine. According to a recent Bloomberg report, Meta is gearing up to launch new Oakley-branded smart glasses later this year, potentially revolutionizing how athletes interact with technology during their sports activities.

Dubbed internally as “Supernova 2,” these glasses will be an evolution of Oakley’s Sphaera design. A key feature of this new model is the strategic repositioning of the camera from the sides of the glasses to the center of the frame. This design choice is aimed squarely at cyclists and other outdoor athletes, offering them a more integrated, less obtrusive camera setup for capturing their adventures or perhaps even providing real-time data feedback.

While specifics on additional features remain under wraps, one can reasonably anticipate that the Supernova 2 will inherit some of the functionalities from Meta‘s current Ray-Ban smart glasses, such as the ability to play music, take calls, or interact with voice commands. However, the real charm of these glasses could lie in their tailored approach for athletes.

Oakley, known for its robust and stylish eyewear, is already a part of the EssilorLuxottica family, just like Ray-Ban. This partnership with Meta is a strategic expansion, leveraging Oakley’s strong appeal among athletes. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses, while sleek for everyday use, have been critiqued for their weight and lack of athletic-specific features like polarized lenses, which are crucial for reducing glare in outdoor sports.

The Supernova 2 glasses seek to address these shortcomings. They aim to offer the durability and style that Oakley is renowned for, possibly with enhancements like sweat resistance and an optimized battery life to withstand long hours of physical activity. It’s a nod to products like the now-discontinued Bose Frames Tempo, which integrated audio features into a sports-friendly design, though Meta’s offering might go a step further with embedded camera technology.

Beyond the Oakley collaboration, Meta is also reportedly developing a higher-end version of the Ray-Ban glasses, code-named “Hypernova.” This model will feature a built-in display, allowing users to check notifications, run basic applications, or even preview photos directly through the glasses. This step towards augmented reality functionality could be seen as Meta’s push to make smart glasses not just an accessory but a fundamental part of our daily tech interaction.

The integration of such technology into sports eyewear could have broad implications. For instance, imagine having real-time performance data, navigation cues, or even interactive coaching feedback displayed directly in your field of vision without needing to glance at another device. However, this also raises questions about privacy, especially with cameras so centrally placed, and how athletes might adapt to such tech in competitive scenarios.

As we look forward to these releases, there are still many questions to be answered regarding battery efficiency, price points, and how these glasses will integrate with existing tech ecosystems.