At Meta Connect, a host of new mixed reality hardware and AI features were unveiled.
The story was originally published on Glossy’s sibling publication Digiday.
Meta Quest 3S Mixed Reality Headset
During the 2024 Meta Connect developer conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the new Meta Quest 3S mixed reality headset as a successor to the Quest 3. Priced starting at $299, the Quest 3S retains the same mixed-reality functionality as its predecessor but at a more budget-friendly cost, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience. The headset boasts hardware and software upgrades, including spatial audio by Dolby Atmos and the capability to serve as a remote desktop for Windows 11 PCs through Meta's collaboration with Microsoft. Additionally, Meta showcased Hyperscape, a new feature enabling users to recreate real-world spaces in a virtual environment. Zuckerberg exemplified this by displaying virtual replicas of artist Daniel Arsham’s studio and the recording studio where Green Day created their “Dookie” album.
Partnerships with various content providers were also announced, with apps for Prime Video, Amazon Music, and Twitch among them. Other highlights included new mixed reality social functionalities for Meta Horizons, catering to gaming and co-viewing experiences on YouTube.
Updates in AI Technology
Meta disclosed several enhancements in its AI offerings, including the introduction of Llama 3.2, a versatile AI model adept at processing images and text. Notable features encompass interactions with Meta AI through voice commands, featuring system voices and celebrity voices like John Cena and Kristen Bell. The integration of real-time language translation via Meta's Ray-Ban glasses and a companion app was showcased with UFC fighter Brandon Moreno conversing with Zuckerberg in Spanish and English.
Partnerships with various content providers were also announced, with apps for Prime Video, Amazon Music, and Twitch among them. Other highlights included new mixed reality social functionalities for Meta Horizons, catering to gaming and co-viewing experiences on YouTube.
Future Implications and Considerations
While Meta's advancements in mixed reality and AI present promising opportunities, challenges like consumer adoption, data privacy, and brand differentiation persist. Analysts point to the potential of AR glasses in transforming customer experiences and enhancing brand engagement through innovative content strategies.
Meta's Ongoing Innovations
In addition to upgraded Ray-Ban smart glasses, Meta revealed a groundbreaking prototype named Orion, positioned as the company's inaugural true AR glasses. Orion's innovative display technology, utilizing light diffraction to project holographic visuals onto surroundings, signifies Meta's pursuit of reshaping user interactions with augmented reality.
Despite the absence of a confirmed release date, Meta's expanding smart eyewear portfolio underscores the company's strategic alignment toward bridging devices and enhancing user experiences through cutting-edge technology.
