Meta Connect 2024: This is Orion AR Glasses, Quest 3S Cheaper Headset and Other
Meta hosted a massively anticipated Connect 2024 event on the 25th of September to reveal the latest tech coming in augmented, mixed and artificial realities. Big news included enhanced Orion AR glasses, a cheaper Meta Quest 3S headset and better features for Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Below are things we learned from the event.
Most Advanced AR from Meta with Orion AR Glasses
Meta’s Connect 2024 featured the first-look reveal of a prototype version of its Orion AR glasses, billed as Meta’s “most advanced AR technology yet”. Unlike conventional AR headsets, the Orion glasses have transparent lenses that don’t occlude the wearer’s vision. These glasses give you virtual overlays in conjunction with your environment as displayed.
Orion features augmented reality that is added through holographic displays which will allow users to place, capture and interact with various 2D and 3D contents. The glasses can understand the environment in real time and make intelligent recommendations. A human-like sentence for translation using Meta AI-powered glasses For example prior to preparation the glasses suggested a recipe that can be made with the groceries available in and around user’s fridge. That said, Meta is still working on the glasses and has not yet announced a release date for consumers.
Meta Quest 3S: The future of mixed reality headset on a budget
Meta also introduced the new Meta Quest 3S, a more affordable version of Quest 3 with a starting price of only $299.99 in US dollars Despite being more affordable, the Quest 3S still maintains many features of its high-end brethren including enhanced spatial audio and superior color contrast for Passthrough.
The Quest 3S runs on the Meta Horizon operating system with improved compatibility for most used 2D applications like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. It also works with the Xbox Cloud Gaming beta, which gives it some appeal to gamers. Also, there is a Travel mode which allows the headset to be used while on the move and it comes with Batman: Arkham Shadow game worth Rs.
AI Features: Ray-Ban Meta Glasses
Then, Meta announced more Ray-Ban Meta glasses features. With the update, users can schedule reminders through their glasses, record and send voice notes in Messenger and WhatsApp apps using optical commands, and make AI experiences more natural by setting follow-up commands without the need for starting with “Hello Meta” sparked.
One of the biggest new features is Meta AI’s ability to assess physical objects real-time, with the help of video feed. What is more, soon you will get to make use of real-time speech translation as well if you want to experience these smart glasses more useful than just travel or daily tasks.
Meta AI Vision: Llama 3.2 and Beyond
There has also been an update to the AI models from Meta, Llama 3.2 model includes mobile and edge-optimized versions of both vision and text-only models. These models offer breakthrough AI performance for all kinds of tasks and are accessible in most regions worldwide (excluding the European Union, we’ll get there also soon).
Meta-run smart wearables are one of the best regions where Meta Boasts about AI improvements. Another interesting example of AR provides several features enabled by technology for a new generation of glasses: Ray-Ban Meta glasses do not yet require verbal commands to recognize objects or perform tasks such as scanning QR codes and making calls based on information contained in flyers.
Orion Glasses — > Neural User Interface & Advanced Controls
Other features of the Orion AR glasses include hand-tracking, eye-tracking and a neural interface, in addition to their holographic displays. Users with this wrist-based neural interface can then operate the glasses with only their brains, a very Starship-Troopers-meets-Cyberpunk method to connect with the virtual world. The Orion glasses use a silicon-carbide display, which is capable of projecting holograms at multiple depths and sizes to increase the immersion of AR experiences.
Aftermath: A Look to the Past and the Future
Yesterday’s Meta Connect 2024 event was very promising in terms of the future that awaits us in AR, MR, and AI applications. Meta is known for products like the Orion AR glasses and the unreleased Meta Quest 3S headset that aim to change how we use them with digital and real [world] interactions. With the Ray-Ban Meta glasses and Llama 3.2 AI enhancements, Meta continued to level up with an easy-to-use experience which I spoke of in my previous article.