Technologies

Meta Tightens Grip on Smart Glasses Market as Global Shipments Soar 139%

AI glasses accounted for 88% of smart glasses shipments in the second half of 2025.

AI smart glasses may be getting more attention, but new data from Counterpoint Research suggests the category is still in its early stages. The tech market research firm reported that the smart glasses market grew 139% year-over-year in the second half of 2025, compared with 2024. And Meta’s AI smart glasses portfolio gets credit for the growth.

Meta AI smart glasses lead market growth

Both Gen 1 and Gen 2 Ray-Ban AI Glasses drove seasonal demand. Meta accounted for 82% of smart glasses shipments thanks to its new products, and its smart glasses were the best-selling. Both Gen 1 and Gen 2 Ray-Ban AI Glasses drove seasonal demand, followed by the Oakley Meta HSTN and Oakley Meta Vanguard, which accounted for over 30% of the last quarter of 2025.

CNET editors are big fans of the Meta AI glasses for reasons beyond the AI capabilities. The Ray-Ban Gen 2 glasses are appreciated for their improved battery life and video quality and for maintaining the same shape as earlier generations, so you can use the old lens if you’d like.

Read more: Meta Ray-Bans, 6 Months Later: The Best AI Companion Happens to Be Camera Glasses

AI glasses are becoming popular, but pricey

AI smart glasses accounted for 88% of total smart glasses shipments during the second half of 2025, while demand for simple smart audio glasses was far lower. The demand for AI glasses stems from Meta’s AI glasses and from Chinese vendors, including Li Auto, Rokid and Bolon.

The market growth for smart glasses isn’t expected to stop. Counterpoint says smart glasses shipments are expected to continue strong growth this year, with plans for new brands and for others to expand. But price will become a concern in 2026.

The average price of AI glasses has risen quickly — reaching $347 in the first half of last year. Yet, the average price went up to $360 in the second half. And prices could rise even further if the current memory shortage persists.

Customers and experts weigh in

Counterpoint also found that Meta customers generally gave positive feedback on video performance for the Gen 2 Meta AI Glasses, and the Oakley Meta Vanguara received positive feedback for its design, as well as its photography and audio features. On the other hand, users say there are still improvements needed in battery performance.

However, CNET editors are big fans of the Meta AI glasses for reasons beyond the AI capabilities. The Ray-Ban Gen 2 glasses are loved for their improved battery life and video quality, and for keeping the same shape as the older generations, so you can use the old lens if you’d like.

Technologies

Ziff Davis Sells DownDetector, Speedtest and More to Accenture for $1.2B

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for March 4, #527

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for March 4, No. 527.

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 a tough one unless you’re really familiar with a certain sports romance show and book series. If you are, you should have no problems with the blue category. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for 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: Lone Star State.

Green group hint: Support the team.

Blue group hint: Hockey love story.

Purple group hint: Not short.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Texas teams.

Green group: Sportswear brands.

Blue group: Associated with «Heated Rivalry.»

Purple group: Long ____.

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 Texas teams. The four answers are Astros, Mavericks, Stars and Texans.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is sportswear brands. The four answers are Adidas, Champion, Fila and Starter.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is associated with «Heated Rivalry.» The four answers are Hollander, Metros, Raiders and Rozanov.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is long ____. The four answers are Beach State, jump, relief and snapper.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, March 4

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 4.

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.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It will help if you’re a basketball fan, at least for the answer to 1-Down. Read on for all the answers. 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.