The highly anticipated Meta Connect 2024 did not disappoint. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of the tech conglomerate, unveiled the company’s new devices, all focused on mixed reality. Additionally, artificial intelligence also had its share of the spotlight in announcements that certainly did not leave anyone indifferent.
The new Meta Quest 3 glasses
One of the most talked-about announcements from Meta Connect has been the Meta Quest 3S. According to Meta, the Quest 3S will allow us to enjoy mixed reality like the Quest 3 and offer “4.5 times more resolution and color than the Quest 2.”
On paper, the Quest 3S boasts power thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, the same one found in the Meta Quest 3. Its quite precise controllers won’t be needed at all times; thanks to their tracking functions, you can use your own hands.
Their Fresnel lenses and the dual RGB camera allow for a quite realistic fusion of the virtual world with the physical one. Adding to this lightweight design, we have ideal headsets for gaming or exercising without discomfort. The price of the Meta Quest 3S starts at $299 for the model with 128 GB of storage. If you want more capacity, there is also the option of 256 GB for $399. Both models will go on sale next October 15.
The Orion glasses, Meta’s most cutting-edge prototype
However, one of the major announcements at Meta Connect 2024 was undoubtedly the Orion holographic glasses. The company presented them as their “first augmented reality glasses” and also described them as their “most advanced and sophisticated product to date.”
With the Orion glasses, we can add an extra layer of interaction with reality. As Meta explains, the physical world becomes your canvas and allows us to “place 2D and 3D content and experiences” wherever we want. Its technology uses contextual AI to understand our surroundings and what is in them. Actions such as searching for an object, seeing what it is, or what it does are possible with the Orion glasses.
The glasses are accompanied by an EMG wristband so that we can swipe, click, and interact with the virtual interface. The lenses are made of silicon carbide and are notable for their considerable thickness, a design that will likely change when they are commercialized in the future.
A new model of Ray-Ban Meta
For now, the Ray-Ban Meta do not have a generational successor. However, we will see many improvements in their software. One of their most notable features is real-time translation, while they will also be capable of understanding natural language.
Other new features include the ability to control Spotify and Amazon Music with our voice, create reminders, and scan QR codes or phone numbers. The announcement of the improvements was accompanied by a special edition of the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer with a transparent frame.
Meta AI, our virtual assistant
Meta also talked about Meta AI, its intelligent assistant. The company has equipped it with iconic voices such as those of Judi Dench, John Cena, and Kristen Bell, among other celebrities. Users who wish to can chat with Meta AI from Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, or Instagram and enjoy its capabilities.
The company has also launched its new Llama 3.2 models. According to Meta, Llama 3.2 is its new large vision model, making it capable of “understanding images and text.” From here, you can learn more about Llama 3.2 and its new features.
