MENLO PARK, California — ECNETNews reports that Meta has announced significant advancements in its virtual reality headset and Ray-Ban smart glasses, showcasing its commitment to artificial intelligence and promising a new era of computing beyond traditional devices.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced Orion, which he characterized as “the most advanced glasses the world has ever seen.”
“The technical challenges to create them are extraordinary,” Zuckerberg stated during a presentation to developers and media at Meta’s headquarters. The lightweight, holographic augmented reality glasses are designed to be portable, requiring no wires and weighing less than 100 grams (3.5 ounces). In addition to voice, text, or hand gesture interactions, Orion features a “wrist-based neural interface” that enables users to send brain signals to the device through a wristband that converts nerve signals into digital commands.
While there is currently no confirmed release date, Zuckerberg referred to Orion as “a glimpse of the future.”
Addressing an enthusiastic audience, Zuckerberg emphasized Meta’s mission to “bring the future to everyone” through innovation in headsets, glasses, and AI technologies. As part of an update to the Llama model, users will soon be able to interact with Meta AI using voices of well-known personalities.
“We aim to construct a future that is more open, accessible, natural, and focused on human connections,” Zuckerberg noted. He mentioned that this initiative builds on the core values and ideas developed throughout Meta’s two-decade history.
New AI features designed for influencers will enable them to create AI clones of themselves for fan engagement. During the keynote, an AI version of a content creator demonstrated its ability to respond just as the actual person would, showcasing advancements in technology with real-time interactions.
Other enhancements include live translation capabilities, demonstrated when Zuckerberg conversed in English with a Mexican mixed martial artist, who replied in Spanish, all while wearing the smart glasses. The technology not only translates conversations in real-time but also allows users to dub videos in other languages while matching lip movements to create the appearance of speaking natively.
Meta AI has now attracted 500 million users, a figure that has astounded industry analysts.
An expert noted that “Meta has evolved from a social media company into an AI powerhouse, with its use of celebrity voices marking a strategic move to enhance real-world utility.”
Following the launch of the Quest 3 last year, Meta also introduced a more affordable version, the 3S, priced at $299, which will begin shipping on October 15. In contrast, the standard Quest 3 retails at $499. This new pricing strategy is seen as Meta’s approach to dominate the mid-tier AR/VR market amidst stiff competition.
While virtual reality goggles have attracted attention, the augmented reality Ray-Bans have emerged as a surprisingly popular product. Although exact sales figures remain undisclosed, demand has been robust, and the company has resolved previous supply chain issues.
These smart glasses provide an ideal platform for AI integration, as they enable an AI assistant to “see what you see, hear what you hear” and assist users in their daily activities.
Potential applications include reminders for where to park, grocery shopping, or generating smoothie recipes based on available fruits.
Although Meta, previously known as Facebook, generates the majority of its revenue from advertising, with recent reports showing 98% of over $39 billion in revenue stemming from this source, the company is heavily investing in AI and next-generation computing technologies.
Despite optimism from Meta, some analysts question the mainstream adoption of VR headsets, citing their cumbersome nature. In contrast, smart glasses are viewed as offering a more familiar and integrated computing experience, with the potential to revolutionize consumer interactions with brands.
The Orion prototype is seen as setting the groundwork for a future where an advanced 3D computing platform could be beneficial for everyday users.
