Meta Connect 2024: Advancing Mixed Reality, AI, and Wearables

At Meta's 11th annual Connect conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a range of new products and updates across mixed reality, artificial intelligence, and wearable devices. Let's look at the key announcements that are set to change how we interact with technology.

Mixed Reality for Everyone

The star of the show was undoubtedly the Meta Quest 3S, a new mixed reality headset that promises to bring high-quality experiences to a broader audience. Launching on October 15th with a starting price of $299.99 for the 128GB model, the Quest 3S packs a punch with the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor as its bigger sibling, the Quest 3. It offers full-color mixed reality, hand tracking, and Touch Plus controllers, all while using Fresnel lenses to keep costs down. The Quest 3s lesnes are in the same design as the quest 2, and VR WAVE is already selling the 3s lenses. Get yourself a pair of Meta Quest 3s Lenses Inserts now!

Pre-orders are available now, with the launch set for October 15th. As an added bonus, "Batman: Arkham Shadow" comes free with every Quest 3S and Quest 3 for a limited time. The Quest 3's 512GB model is now priced at $499.99, bringing down the cost of the premium option.

But Meta isn't just focusing on new hardware. They're enhancing the entire Quest ecosystem with a slew of new features and apps. Improved Remote Desktop functionality now offers seamless connectivity with Windows 11 PCs, turning your Quest into a virtual workstation. The new theater mode transforms your space into a personal cinema, perfect for enjoying content from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and the newly added Twitch app.

For the audiophiles out there, spatial audio improvements are on the way, with Dolby Atmos support coming soon. Social butterflies will appreciate the rebuilt Instagram and Facebook apps, now optimized for mixed reality environments.

Another standout feature is Hyperscape, which uses cloud rendering to create photorealistic VR spaces. This allows users to explore highly detailed digital versions of real-world locations.

AI Gets a Major Upgrade: Meta AI and Llama 3.2

Meta's AI ambitions are reaching new heights with significant updates to Meta AI and the release of Llama 3.2. Meta AI is on track to become the world's most-used AI assistant by the end of 2024, and it's easy to see why. The latest update brings voice capabilities to Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger, with celebrity voice options adding a touch of star power to your AI interactions.

 For developers and AI enthusiasts, Llama 3.2 is a game-changer. This open-source multimodal AI model can understand both images and text, opening up new possibilities for creative applications. The release includes:

• 11B and 90B parameter models for advanced tasks
• New 1B and 3B parameter models optimized for mobile devices and wearables
• The ability to edit photos using natural language commands across multiple apps.

Content creators haven't been left out either. The new AI Studio allows creators to develop custom AIs that can interact with their communities, respond to messages, and even create video-based AI representations for Q&A sessions.

Ray-Ban Meta: Smarter Glasses

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are getting a significant boost in capabilities. Soon, users will be able to rely on these stylish specs for a wide range of AI-powered tasks:

• Remembering parking locations and setting reminders
• Taking actions based on visual input, like calling numbers from photos or scanning QR codes
• Receiving real-time multimodal video AI assistance
• Enjoying live translation features
  
  

Meta is also partnering with the "Be My Eyes" app to leverage the glasses' capabilities in assisting visually impaired users. Fashion-conscious tech enthusiasts will be pleased to know that new Transitions lenses options are coming, along with a limited edition of clear transparent frames that showcase the internal technology.

Orion: A Look at Future AR

Perhaps the most exciting reveal was Orion, Meta's prototype for true augmented reality glasses. While not yet a consumer product, Orion represents a significant leap forward in AR technology. These glasses feature a see-through display that seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world, powered by custom silicon and nanoscale 3D structures in the lenses.

Orion incorporates voice AI, hand tracking, eye tracking, and a neural interface via a wristband, enabling intuitive interactions with digital content. A small external puck provides the necessary processing power and extended battery life. While still in development, Orion offers a tantalizing glimpse of a future where AR is as natural and ubiquitous as smartphones are today.



With the new Meta Quest 3S Headset − VR Wave got you covered with prescription lenses made specifically for the Meta Quest 3S headset for that clear vision for an even more immersive experience!

---

As Meta continues to push the boundaries of mixed reality, AI, and wearable technologies, it's clear that we're on the cusp of a new era in computing. The innovations showcased at Connect 2024 paint a picture of a future where digital and physical realities blend seamlessly, offering more immersive, intelligent, and connected experiences for users worldwide. While some of these technologies are still in their early stages, they represent the building blocks of a truly integrated digital-physical world that's closer to reality than ever before.