Behind the Scenes: Meta’s CTO Reveals What Went Wrong with Their Smart Glasses Demo

When Mark Zuckerberg revealed Meta’s new smart glasses at the Connect 2025 keynote, he faced some hiccups that made the demonstration tricky. Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, later clarified in an Instagram AMA that these were demo problems, not product failures.

During the live demo, a chef asked the glasses for help on making a Korean-inspired steak sauce. Instead of detailed steps, the glasses jumped ahead and kept glitching. The chef joked that the WiFi might be the issue. Bosworth explained that when the chef activated the Live AI feature, it inadvertently triggered every Meta Ray-Ban device in the room. The event had numerous smart glasses, which led to traffic overwhelm on the server. “We DDoS’d ourselves, basically,” he said. Interestingly, testing before the event didn’t show these issues because there were fewer devices in use.

Zuckerberg also struggled with another feature—answering WhatsApp video calls. While the audience saw calls come in on the glasses’ heads-up display, he couldn’t answer. Bosworth said this was due to a unique bug that caused the display to sleep just as calls came in. They hadn’t encountered this issue before the demo, but it has since been resolved. Bosworth remarked, “We got WhatsApp, we know how to do video calling,” highlighting that the technology works, even if the live demo didn’t go as planned.

These glitches raise questions about the balance between innovation and reliability in tech launches. According to a recent survey by Tech Insights, 73% of consumers say they prefer products that are fully tested before market release, emphasizing the importance of ensuring product readiness. This incident reminds us that even big tech companies face challenges when showcasing new technology, and the path to innovation is rarely smooth.

Social media reactions echoed this sentiment, with many users sharing memes about the event. Comments ranged from light-hearted jabs at Zuckerberg to sarcastic remarks about smart glasses being “too smart.” This illustrates how public perception can shape a product’s image even before its official release.

Overall, these demo difficulties provide important lessons for both developers and consumers about the complexities of introducing new technology to the market. As we look forward to future innovations, it’s crucial to remember that every new product may come with its own set of challenges.

As technology continues to evolve, companies like Meta will likely face scrutiny over their product launches. A historical perspective shows that every major tech advancement, from the first smartphones to the latest virtual reality gear, has had its share of early setbacks. For instance, the initial launch of the iPhone faced numerous bugs and user complaints, but Apple learned and adapted, ultimately setting the standard for mobile devices.

In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, consumer expectations are higher than ever. Innovations must not only be exciting but also reliable from the outset. As Bosworth noted, the goal is to provide seamless functionality, especially with popular features like video calls.

In conclusion, while glitches are frustrating, they can serve as valuable learning experiences for companies and customers alike. The journey of technology is a collaborative one, and understanding these challenges can lead to better products in the future.



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Mark Zuckerberg, Andrew Bosworth, Meta glasses, product failures, smart glasses, Chief Technology Officer