Meta Unveils Orion AR Glasses; AI and VR Innovations Take Center Stage

• Meta, formerly Facebook, unveiled a prototype for holographic AR glasses, Orion, and AI advancements.
• Orion features a “neural interface” that allows users to send signals from their brain to the device.
• Meta also introduced updates to its Llama model, enabling users to interact with Meta AI by speaking.
• Despite the attention garnered by VR goggles, Meta’s augmented reality Ray Bans have proven to be a surprise success.

Meta, the tech giant formerly known as Facebook, has recently unveiled a series of updates to its virtual reality (VR) headset, Ray Ban smart glasses, and artificial intelligence (AI) advancements. The company also showcased a prototype for holographic augmented reality (AR) glasses, named Orion, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg described as the most advanced glasses the world has ever seen. The unveiling took place at Meta’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, where Zuckerberg addressed a crowd of developers and journalists.

He emphasized the technical challenges involved in creating Orion, which he said needed to be glasses, not a bulky headset. The glasses are wire-free and weigh less than 100 grams. Beyond voice interaction, typing, or hand gestures, Orion features a neural interface that allows users to send signals from their brain to the device. While there is no release date for Orion yet, Zuckerberg referred to it as a glimpse of the future. This statement aligns with Meta’s broader vision of moving beyond smartphones and computers to the next generation of computing platforms.

Meta’s AI Advancements and Market Strategy

In addition to Orion, Meta also introduced updates to its Llama model, enabling users to interact with Meta AI by speaking. The AI system now includes celebrity voices such as John Cena, Judi Dench, and Awkwafina. The company reported that Meta AI currently has 500 million users, a figure that Jeremy Goldman of research firm Emarketer described as jaw-dropping.

Meta has transformed from just a social media company into an AI powerhouse, Goldman said. Zuckerberg’s move to celebrity voices is not just for fun — it’s a direct challenge to OpenAI, with an emphasis on real-world utility. Meta also revealed a cheaper version of its VR goggles, the Quest 3S, which will cost $299 and start shipping on October 15. This is significantly less than the regular Quest 3, which costs $499. Goldman noted that Meta is aggressively undercutting Apple ’s Vision Pro to dominate the middle-tier AR/VR market.

The Success of AR Ray Bans and Future Prospects

Despite the attention garnered by VR goggles, Meta’s augmented reality Ray Bans have proven to be a surprise success. While the company has not disclosed sales numbers, Zuckerberg stated during Meta’s July earnings call that the glasses continue to be a bigger hit sooner than we expected — thanks in part to AI. The glasses, according to Zuckerberg, are the perfect form factor for AI. They allow an AI assistant to see what you see, hear what you hear and assist users in their daily tasks.

Despite these advancements, Meta still derives nearly all of its revenue from advertising. In its most recent quarter, 98% of its more than $39 billion in revenue came from ads. However, the company is heavily investing in AI and what Zuckerberg sees as the next generation of computing platforms, such as VR headsets and AR glasses. Mike Proulx, research director at Forrester, expressed skepticism about the mainstream adoption of VR headsets, describing them as too cumbersome and only tolerable in short bursts.

In conclusion, Meta’s recent updates and unveilings represent a significant step towards the future of computing platforms. The company’s focus on AI, VR, and AR technologies, as well as its commitment to creating user-friendly and accessible devices, positions it as a leader in the tech industry. As Meta continues to innovate and push the boundaries of technology, the world will be watching closely to see what the future holds.