At Meta Connect 2024, Mark Zuckerberg shared significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), wearables, and mixed reality, propelling Meta closer to its vision of the next computing platform. Here are some of the key takeaways from this exciting event that promise to reshape our digital experiences.
Introducing Orion
One of the most thrilling announcements was the introduction of Orion, touted as the most advanced pair of Augmented Reality (AR) glasses ever created. These glasses seamlessly blend the aesthetic of traditional eyewear with groundbreaking augmented reality capabilities. With a field of view of approximately 70 degrees, Orion provides users with immersive experiences that were previously unattainable in such a compact form factor. Imagine interacting with holograms of life-size individuals, managing multiple tasks through expansive virtual screens, and enjoying immersive entertainment – all through a pair of stylish glasses.
Orion’s input system integrates voice commands, eye gaze, and hand tracking, enhanced further by an EMG wristband that allows users to swipe, click, and scroll while remaining engaged with their surroundings. While Orion is currently a prototype, Meta is gradually expanding access to select employees and external audiences, marking an essential step towards releasing consumer-ready AR glasses in the near future.
Meet Meta Quest 3S
The Meta Quest family is expanding with the arrival of the Meta Quest 3S, designed to offer the same high-resolution mixed reality experience as its predecessor, the Quest 3. Priced at AUD $499.99 in Australia and NZ $569.99 in New Zealand, pre-orders for the Quest 3S began on September 25, with retail availability set for October 15. This new headset promises to make premium mixed reality accessible to a broader audience.
With its state-of-the-art Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform, the Quest 3S supports hand tracking and Touch Plus controllers, allowing for fluid interaction in various environments – whether you’re gaming, exercising, or engaging with friends. The Quest 3S is a remarkable step towards making high-quality mixed reality experiences available at an accessible price point.
Get to know Ray-Bay Meta Glasses
The iconic Ray-Ban Meta glasses are set to become even more useful with upcoming AI enhancements. New features include reminders from Meta AI to alert you when you’re low on items like cereal, the ability to scan QR codes and phone numbers, and live language translation capabilities to facilitate communication between English and languages such as French, Italian, and Spanish.
Additionally, the integration of popular media platforms like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Audible will enable users to enjoy their favourite content effortlessly. With prices starting at AUD $429.00, the upgraded glasses will bring a new level of convenience to everyday tasks.
Advancements in Meta AI
Meta AI is making significant strides, with over 400 million users globally and 185 million active weekly users. The latest updates allow users to engage in voice conversations with Meta AI across platforms like Messenger, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. This new functionality includes a selection of iconic voices, allowing users to interact with a more personalized AI experience.
In addition to enhanced voice capabilities, Meta AI can now process visual information, enabling users to ask questions about photos they upload. Whether you want to identify a flower from a hike or get recipe ideas based on a delicious dessert, these features streamline the interaction and provide instant feedback. With rolling updates over the next month, users in Australia and New Zealand can look forward to a more engaging AI experience.
Launching Llama 3.2
Finally, Meta unveiled Llama 3.2, the latest open-source models that process both images and text. This includes efficient models designed to run on mobile devices, enabling a wider range of applications for developers. By simplifying deployment through Llama Stack Distributions, Meta aims to enhance the usability of AI across various environments, promoting a more robust ecosystem for creative and commercial applications.
For those eager to stay at the forefront of these developments, rewatch the Meta Connect 2024 event for further insights.