Meta Platforms Inc (META) kicked off its annual developer conference, Meta Connect 2024, with a flurry of exciting product announcements from its California headquarters. The event, which began with a keynote address from CEO Mark Zuckerberg, painted a picture of a future where advancements in AR/VR, the metaverse, and AI are rapidly becoming reality.
Zuckerberg emphasized that the future is here, stating, “A lot of the stuff we’ve been talking about for a long time, glasses, mixed reality, AI, it’s happening. And we can start to see how the future of computing and the future of human connection are going to look, and it’s pretty awesome.”
Here are some of the major announcements that emerged from Meta Connect:
Meta Quest 3S: The Next Generation of VR
Meta unveiled the Quest 3S, the newest iteration of its popular Quest VR headset. Priced at $299.99, the Quest 3S promises a powerful mixed reality experience. Building on the success of the Quest 3, the 3S boasts the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip and Touch Plus controllers, offering enhanced performance and features. The Verge reports that the Quest 3S also boasts a longer battery life. Zuckerberg emphasized the headset’s integration with PC technology, stating, “Quest is going to be able to be a natural extension of your PC,” making it the “best mixed reality device that you can buy today.” Pre-orders for the Quest 3S opened on Wednesday, with shipping scheduled for October 15.
Meta AI: Elevating AI Capabilities
Zuckerberg highlighted several new updates for Meta AI, including the launch of Llama 3.2, its first open-source model capable of processing both images and text. This advanced model will enable developers to build more sophisticated AI applications. Llama 3.2 includes two vision models and two lightweight text-only models. Meta also announced the integration of conversational voice options from celebrities into its AI chatbots across its social media platforms. Users can now interact with Meta AI and hear responses in the voices of celebrities such as John Cena and Kristen Bell. The platform’s capabilities also extend to image analysis, allowing users to submit photos to Meta’s chatbot and receive answers to questions about them.
Ray-Ban Smart Glasses: Enhanced Functionality
Meta showcased a series of updates for its Ray-Ban smart glasses, focusing on software enhancements that broaden their real-world usability. These updates include the ability to scan QR codes, call phone numbers displayed in your field of vision, and a “Reminders” feature that takes photos of objects and sends reminders later. Meta also introduced a limited edition transparent version of the Ray-Ban frames and announced the launch of a new line of transition lenses. Zuckerberg expressed confidence in the future of smart glasses, stating, “As they get more and more useful I think a lot more people are going to want glasses that they can take indoors, outdoors, everywhere that they go. I think this is going to be a big deal.”
Meta Orion: A Glimpse into the Future of AR
Meta unveiled its prototype holographic AR glasses, called “Orion,” which Zuckerberg described as “the most advanced glasses the world has ever seen.” Orion represents a significant leap forward in AR technology, featuring a novel display architecture that creates holograms superimposed on the real world. Users can interact with Orion through voice commands, eye and hand gestures, and even through a neural interface connected to a wristband. Zuckerberg concluded his presentation by emphasizing the importance of Orion in achieving Reality Labs’ vision of creating a next-generation computing platform that delivers an immersive, presence-like experience. He stated, “With Orion we are getting closer to achieving the dream of Reality Labs, to create the next great computing platform that delivers a deep sense of presence like you are right there with another person. This is where we are going.”
Meta’s shares rose by 2.11% to $575.37 at the time of publication, indicating a positive market reaction to the company’s announcements.
