Technologies

Better Than Ray-Bans? Meta’s ‘Hypernova’ Glasses Could Be Cheaper Than Expected

The new AR glasses could arrive as soon as next month.

September is gearing up to be one of the most exciting months of the year for new technology launches — and we’re not just talking about the iPhone 17. Meta is reportedly set to unveil its next-generation smart glasses codenamed Hypernova. According to Bloomberg, the smart glasses are set to start around $800 for the basic model, at least $200 less than previously thought.

This pair of glasses will reportedly differ from the current Meta Ray-Bans due to the addition of a small augmented-reality display in the right lens of the glasses, which will only be visible to the wearer. On this display you’ll be able to see mini apps and alerts, and you’ll have control over the content with assistance from the same neural input wristband used to operate Meta Orion AR glasses.

When CNET editor-at-large Scott Stein tried out the concept wristband with Orion earlier this year, he noted that the gestures «weren’t perfect yet,» but that he could see their potential.

Meta has clearly been «buoyed» by the success of its Ray-Ban specs, said Leo Gebbie, analyst and Americas director at CCS Insight. The major question for Hypernova will be to what extent does it deviate from the current Ray-Ban smart glasses model, which have proved very successful, he said «Demand for these glasses has been driven by the fact that they look like normal eyewear from a well-known brand and offer an impressive feature set at a relatively affordable price point.»

In contrast, the Hypernova glasses will cost around $500 more than the Meta Ray-Bans, a significant price difference. Further, Gebbie added, it remains unknown whether the Hypernova glasses will look as sleek as the Ray-Bans.

Knowing this might be a tough self, Meta has apparently managed to slash that price from $1,000 by accepting lower margins, per Bloomberg. The company likely hopes that by keeping the cost as low as possible, it will convince a broader range of future to buy into its theory that glasses are the future of tech. But it’s important to note that even at a lower price, you’ll likely still pay more for prescription lenses or style variations.

Smart glasses: The phone killer?

The question hanging over any smart glasses, including from Meta, is whether they will one day be capable enough to free us from our smartphones. «These new premium spec Hypernova smart glasses are taking over more tasks that can be done by a phone by including things like a small screen in the bottom right of the right lens creating Meta’s first augmented reality glasses available to consumers,» Frederick Stanbrell, head of wearables at IDC, said.

They are also rumored to have a smartphone-quality camera and a competent voice-activated AI query tool present. When you all add it all, Stanbrell said, «these glasses are beginning to look like a mobile phone competitor.»

But based on what we know so far, the Hypernova glasses won’t be a standalone device, Stanbrell added. Instead it’s clear that these glasses are designed to be a companion to your mobile phone, while offering a glimpse of what’s to come. «We are likely seeing the first generation of a device that Mark Zuckerberg intends to one day replace phones,» he said.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Aug. 28, #339

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Aug. 28, No. 339

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is just always tough for me these days. You too? If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, Read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Hoops errors.

Green group hint: Get the mic.

Blue group hint: Tennis triumphs.

Purple group hint: A note to follow so.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Basketball violations.

Green group: Roles on a broadcast team.

Blue group: Last four US Open women’s singles winners.

Purple group: Preceded by «LA.»

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is basketball violations. The four answers are backcourt, double-dribble, goaltend and travel.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is roles on a broadcast team. The four answers are color, play-by-play, sideline and studio.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is last four US Open women’s singles winners. The four answers are Gauff, Raducanu, Sabalenka and Swiatek.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is preceded by «LA.» The four answers are Clippers, Coliseum, Galaxy and Liga.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, Aug. 28

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Aug. 28.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s Mini Crossword wasn’t too tough, especially for SpongeBob fans. But if you’d like some help with the answers, read on.. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: SpongeBob’s boss, for one
Answer: CRAB

5A clue: I.R.S. agent’s investigation
Answer: AUDIT

7A clue: Something you haven’t been able to do on U.S. flights since 2000
Answer: SMOKE

8A clue: Peninsula east of the Yellow Sea
Answer: KOREA

9A clue: One «R» in R&R
Answer: REST

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Barrel-shaped wine container
Answer: CASK

2D clue: Something heard through the grapevine
Answer: RUMOR

3D clue: Profoundly love
Answer: ADORE

4D clue: Vehicles in a peloton
Answer: BIKES

6D clue: What a calf drinks from
Answer: TEAT

Technologies

Delivery Companies Around the World Stop Shipments to the US: Here’s Who’s Affected

Major shipping companies including DHL and the Australian Post have paused shipments to the US.

Primary shipping services, including the European branch of DHL, multiple European state postal services, Australia Post, Japan Post and Taiwan’s state postal service, have stopped shipping consumer goods of varying amounts (over $100 in some cases) to the US. The pause is currently expected to be temporary as countries respond to the latest US tariff measures, but could have a significant impact on US businesses selling anything from Taiwanese GPUs and Japanese card packs to European electronics.

The response stems from tariff actions related to the «de minimis» trade option, which allows the US to select certain business-friendly goods to be duty-free when shipped into the United States.

In July, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that appeared to ban the use of this de minimis option. Postal companies have paused services for the time being, reporting that they aren’t sure how the specifics of the order affect them and did not have time to respond. As the additional tariffs go into effect, shipping companies say to expect downtime as they seek to understand the rules and retool their shipping processes.

Don’t miss any of CNET’s unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome.

Major shipping companies from other countries, including India, have said they will follow suit soon.

While the details and timeframe are currently unknown, it’s likely that if shipping from these countries resumes, it will be at significantly higher duties and related taxes, which US businesses may pass down to consumers as higher retail prices. Until then, several overseas sellers are expected to stop taking orders from US buyers altogether.

Read more: Tech Tariff Anxiety Is Still High. CNET Survey Finds 64% of Shoppers Are Rushing to Buy Tech to Dodge Price Spikes and Shortages

Can people still send packages to the US?

Small consumer-oriented packages can still be sent through most services, depending on the specific value and related rules that shipping companies currently have. For example, if someone is trying to send a personal gift during this time, it shouldn’t be affected.

However, businesses that trade in international goods — including online shops on eBay and Etsy — currently have little recourse except to rely on current stock, find other suppliers or wait for the situation to be resolved. That’s an unfortunate situation ahead of big Labor Day sales.