Meta’s next big leap in wearable tech is beginning to take shape — and it might just be more impressive than expected. A major leak has revealed the name, design, and control system of Meta’s upcoming smart glasses, internally known as Celeste, featuring a heads-up display (HUD) and an advanced neural wristband for gesture control.
Previously referred to by the codename Hypernova, these futuristic glasses are expected to be officially unveiled during Meta Connect 2025 in September, with shipping slated for October. While much of this was already speculated by insiders, new firmware discoveries have provided the clearest look yet at what Meta has in store.
A Peek at the Design: Thicker, Smarter, and More Meta
Visual assets unearthed from the firmware show a render of the inner right side of the glasses, clearly revealing the label “Meta | Celeste” engraved on the stem. This naming style is reminiscent of “Ray-Ban | Meta” on the current generation smart glasses, suggesting “Celeste” might be the final product name — or at the very least, a near-final codename.
Compared to the sleek Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Celeste looks bulkier, with a thicker frame and arms. That makes sense, considering it houses a projection system for the HUD. Weighing in at around 70 grams (compared to Ray-Ban Meta’s 50 grams), these glasses are clearly built for more than just audio.
What Can Celeste’s HUD Actually Do?
The glasses will feature a small HUD in the right eye, reportedly capable of displaying:
- Time and weather
- Phone and app notifications
- Photo framing and preview
- Turn-by-turn navigation
- Real-world speech translation and captions
- Meta AI responses in text format
This adds a truly functional AR layer to your daily life — minimal, non-intrusive, yet packed with relevant information when you need it most.
The Neural Interface: Enter the EMG Wristband
Arguably more exciting than the glasses themselves is the sEMG (surface electromyography) wristband included in the box. This wristband, internally called Ceres, senses electrical activity in the muscles of your wrist, translating even the tiniest finger movements into input commands — no camera needed.
Three core gestures were spotted in a tutorial clip:
- Thumb swipe forward over the side of the index finger
- Pinch and pull horizontally (thumb to index)
- Pinch and pull vertically
These gestures are likely used to scroll or navigate the user interface. One gesture also included wrist rotation — detected via the wristband’s built-in gyroscope — hinting at more advanced gesture possibilities in the future.
The best part? These gestures can be performed subtly, with your hands at rest. Perfect for public or on-the-go use where speaking aloud or large hand motions would be impractical.
Other Control Methods
Gestures won’t be the only way to interact with Celeste. The glasses are also expected to include a capacitive touch sensor on the right arm, similar to those found in Ray-Ban Meta glasses, allowing users to tap or swipe directly on the frame. Plus, voice control through Meta AI is almost a certainty.
Navigation, Weather & More — Powered by OpenStreetMap?
Icons discovered in the firmware indicate that apps for navigation and weather will be front and center in the Celeste UI. Meta is reportedly using OpenStreetMap as the underlying platform for navigation — a strategic move since the company became a member last year. There’s also speculation about possible integration with Bing Maps, considering Meta AI currently utilizes Bing for web searches.
Mini-Game Included: Hypertrail
One fun surprise buried in the firmware is a reference to a built-in game called Hypertrail. While not much is known, early hints suggest it may draw inspiration from classic arcade games like Galaga but involve real-world location elements, blending physical space with virtual gameplay.
When to Expect Meta Celeste
Meta is reportedly pushing hard to launch Celeste on time, with teams working overtime to hit a September 17 reveal and October shipping timeline. Based on the depth of this leak, it’s clear the device is nearing completion — and we may only be weeks away from seeing Meta’s most advanced wearable yet.
Whether Celeste will deliver on its promise remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Meta is doubling down on making AR wearables more functional, intuitive, and deeply integrated into our digital lives.
