September’s Meta Connect 2024 event was packed with exciting VR and AR tech announcements. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, shared many updates on the company’s work in AI, wearables, and mixed reality hardware. If you missed the keynote announcement, you can get caught up on the highlights below. Let’s dive into the future of Meta’s virtual reality offerings.
Orion: the future of augmented reality
One of the standout announcements was the introduction of “Orion”, which Meta calls “true AR glasses.” These are being touted as the most advanced pair of AR glasses ever made. Orion combines the look and feel of regular glasses with the immersive capabilities of augmented reality. The glasses feature an input system that seamlessly integrates voice, eye gaze, and hand tracking with an EMG wristband. This allows users to interact with the digital world while staying present in the real one. Currently, Orion is available to Meta employees and select external audiences as a prototype. Even if Orion remains a prototype, it offered an exciting glimpse into the future of mixed reality that I can’t wait to go hands-on with.
Meta Quest 3S: an affordable virtual reality
Meta also announced the Meta Quest 3S, a powerful, entry-level mixed-reality headset. It comes in 128GB or 256GB models for extra storage. The Quest 3S offers high-resolution, full-colour mixed reality capabilities and fast performance, making it a great choice if you want to experiment with virtual reality.
You can pre-order the Meta Quest 3S today, with shipping starting on October 15th, 2024. Every Quest 3S device comes bundled with Batman: Arkham Shadow, so you can jump straight into Gotham’s gritty streets in VR.
Meta Quest 3S compared to Meta Quest 3
The Meta Quest 3S features key differences from its more powerful counterpart, the Meta Quest 3. The biggest difference for the Meta Quest 3S is the lower price point, which makes it a more attractive proposition to those new to VR. Secondly, the 3S uses more cost-effective fresnel lenses, which are a little heavier and don’t have as wide a field of view as the Quest 3. The screen resolution is also slightly lower than the Quest 3, coming in at 1832×1920 pixels per eye. Outside of that, you still get a powerful processor and a great feature set that will offer a great mixed-reality experience with more budget-friendly pricing. Overall, you are getting a very powerful VR headset that will work great for gaming and work application for a much friendlier price point.
New Meta Quest accessories will make life “on-the-go” easier
Along with the new hardware, there was also a plethora of exciting accessories announced for the Meta VR platform. If you are like me and work out in VR, or play many action games, you might have issues with lens fog and heat with the headset on. Meta announced a new Quest 3 Open Facial Interface, which will helps increase airflow and allow you to see more around you.
They also showed off the Meta Quest 3S Breathable Facial Interface with a breathable fabric design that offers more ventilation during active mixed reality and VR sessions. I can’t wait to try out both as I “run hot” when I play, so this will make my time a lot more cool and comfortable as I work and play.
Ray-Ban Meta: smarter glasses
The Ray-Ban Meta glasses received significant updates, including AI improvements that will roll out over the next few months. New features include reminders, QR code scanning, real-time video assistance, and live language translation between English and French, Italian, or Spanish. These updates aim to make the glasses more useful and integrated into daily life.
Meta AI and Llama 3.2
Another highlight of the event were Meta’s AI updates, with over 400 million people already using Meta AI. The updated Meta AI can now interact with users via voice on Messenger, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, featuring iconic voices like Awkwafina and John Cena. In the US, Meta AI can also see and respond to photos shared in chat, offering features like photo editing and object recognition.
Llama 3.2 Open Source A.I.
Meta also introduced Llama 3.2, their latest open-source AI model that understands both images and text. These models are optimized for edge and mobile devices, enabling efficient Qualcomm and MediaTek hardware performance. Llama 3.2 models are available for download on llama.com and Hugging Face.
Unlock a new reality with Meta
Meta Connect 2024 showcased a range of innovative products and updates that highlight Meta’s commitment to advancing technology in AI, wearables, and mixed reality. With exciting new devices like the Meta Quest 3S and enhancements to the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, there’s never been a better time to explore these groundbreaking technologies. Stay tuned for the latest in VR and AR products on Best Buy Blog.
Ready to step into the future? You can find Meta’s latest devices and accessories at Best Buy.
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