Meta is revitalizing its efforts to establish virtual reality as a staple. During its Connect event on Wednesday, the firm revealed Meta VR Glasses, its latest advancement in the VR sector, which will be released next spring at a starting price of $1,299.99.

These glasses appear to hold considerable promise, owing to a distinctly lighter design and a variety of new entertainment integrations — including alleged compatibility with IMAX.

Just before showcasing them, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reminded attendees that the company had previously opted to shift its priorities away from the Metaverse and produce fewer VR gadgets until significant advancements were achieved.

“This is a significant advancement,” he asserted before demonstrating the glasses. “Many concur that augmented reality glasses featuring holograms will undoubtedly play a role in the future, but we’ve also learned that many are less keen on wearing a headset. Thus, we have developed a new type of VR device that provides the same enchanting sense of presence and immersion with high-definition displays and views of the surrounding world in a glasses form factor for the very first time.”

Meta claims that the glasses are five times lighter than the Meta Quest 3 — and they closely resemble standard eyewear rather than the hefty headsets previously released by the company. The frames are crafted from magnesium alloy, and the glasses are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite processor. They connect to a computing puck that also serves as a battery, which users can conveniently slip into their pocket for on-the-go use.

The glasses are primarily designed for entertainment. Integrated micro-OLED panels within the lenses create what Meta refers to as a 5K Infinite Display with 37 pixels per degree, alongside support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio. Users will have the ability to download and view movies.

One of the more distinctive aspects of the glasses is that Meta is marketing them as an excellent means to enjoy films captured in IMAX.

Indeed, the company labels the glasses as the “first IMAX-enhanced certified VR device ever” and claims they will be one of the few avenues to experience the expanded aspect ratio that characterizes IMAX’s unique high-resolution viewing experience.

Additionally, the glasses support 3D content, including films that incorporate a user’s physical environment into their viewing experience. Meta states that it has partnered with Disney, and in November, Disney+ subscribers will be able to stream select movies — including certain Marvel titles — in 3D.

Meta indicates that users will have the opportunity to watch particular films and have their surroundings “transformed with immersive environments, dynamic effects, stunning 3D visuals, and spatial audio” — essentially converting the film into a VR gaming-like experience.

The glasses will also feature Meta AI — its automated virtual assistant — integrated, meaning users can converse with the glasses and automate various tasks through voice commands. For example, Meta states that you will be able to initiate a movie simply by asking your glasses to do so. Alternative command methods include hand gestures.