Meta uses its Connect 2026 keynote to expand beyond social apps with multiple consumer hardware announcements anchored by its Muse AI agent. The event takes place at Meta’s campus in Menlo Park and includes updates to smart glasses, a new VR headset format, and the introduction of Muse Charm, a pocket-sized AI device. Several outlets describe the keynote as aiming to position Meta ahead of rivals such as OpenAI and Google in AI agents and consumer devices.
Muse Charm is presented as a standalone, keychain-like “little guy” that interacts with Muse using voice, shows an animated avatar on a small screen, and includes a fingerprint sensor. Multiple reports say Zuckerberg targets a December launch for holiday availability. Bloomberg and others add that Charms can recognize and interact with nearby Charms, suggesting a connected ecosystem. Media coverage also notes that the device includes a front-facing camera, while other outlets emphasize it is not a traditional phone.
Alongside Charm, Meta unveils camera-less Ray-Ban Meta Audio smart glasses with microphones and speakers, and new Meta VR Glasses designed to be substantially lighter than alternatives like Apple Vision Pro. Coverage also discusses Meta’s broader strategy: some analysts and reporting frame Muse as a core interface and compare its role to Meta’s existing AI efforts, while others assess whether the hardware push will have long-term staying power.
