Meta Connect 2024 Highlights: Mark Zuckerberg unveils new Quest ...
Meta held its Connect 2024 event on Wednesday, September 25, where it introduced the new and affordable Quest 3S headset besides a slew of new AI features powered by its latest Llama 3.2 model.
Quest 3S and AI Features
In his opening keynote, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the Quest 3S will be available for a lower price tag of $300 along with a free copy of the Batman Arkham: Shadow video game. Meta is also adding several new AI features such as Live Translation to the Ray-Ban smart glasses, which will now have the ability to remember things.
Zuckerberg further demonstrated the fully functioning prototype of Orion, the company’s first consumer-grade full holographic AR glasses. Meta AI with Voice, automatic dubbing, and lip syncing were some other AI features that were announced at the annual developer conference.
Meta Products Overview
Meta introduced the following products and features:
- Meta Quest 3S: The company’s latest VR headset — Quest 3S, a toned-down version of Quest 3, is priced at $300, which is $200 cheaper than the Quest 3. It is available with 128/256 GB of internal storage.
- Llama 3.2 model: It includes small and medium-sized vision LLMs (11B and 90B), and lightweight, text-only models (1B and 3B) that fit onto edge and mobile devices, including pre-trained and instruction-tuned versions. Llama 3.2 is being released everywhere except in the European Union (EU).
- AI improvements for Ray-Ban smart glasses: These updates allow the AI to answer follow-up questions without the 'Hey Meta' prompt, recognise what you're looking at without needing a command, and remembers details like where you parked your car. Additionally, the new AI feature can also scan QR codes and make calls based on information on flyers while also translating in real-time.
- Orion: It is a standalone smart glass with no wires that weighs less than 100 grams and includes a sharp holographic display, making it the company’s first consumer-grade, full holographic AR glasses.
Meta Partnership and Future Plans
Meta says it is partnering with an app called Be My Eyes to help visually-impaired people. The smart glasses will see what is front of them and describe it to them.
Besides app integrations with Spotify and Amazon Music, the Meta-Ray-Ban smart glasses will have the ability to help users remember things through a new AI feature. These features will be coming out in the coming months.
Developer-Focused Sessions
Here's a list of the developer-focused sessions that have been planned for later:
- Momentum with mixed-reality
- Get started with mixed reality
- Paths and pitfalls of mixed reality design
- How we’re improving the Meta Horizon developer experience
- Learn about Meta Quest devices
- Making Meta Quest 3 shine: tools, tips and best practices for maximum performance
- Unlocking more with 2D apps on Meta Horizon
- Introducing the new Meta spatial app framework
Future Expectations
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to take the stage and kick off the annual developer conference with a keynote in which he will share "the latest developments in mixed reality, AI and wearables." Last year’s conference revealed new products and features, and this year is expected to be no different.
With all the exciting announcements at Meta Connect 2024, the tech world eagerly anticipates the future advancements in augmented and virtual reality technologies.
In case you were struggling to find the live-stream link to Meta Connect 2024, click here for more information.
