Meta unveils cheaper VR headset, AI updates and shows off prototype for holographic AR glasses
MENLO PARK, California — Meta on Wednesday unveiled updates to the company’s virtual reality headset and Ray Ban smart glasses, along with AI advancements in an effort to boost its artificial intelligence and the next generation of computing platforms that go beyond smartphones and computers.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg also showed off Orion, a prototype he called “the most advanced glasses the world has ever seen.”
“The engineering challenges to make them are insane,” he told a crowd of developers and journalists at Meta’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California. For one thing, these holographic augmented reality glasses had to be glasses, not a bulky headset. There are no wires and they have to weigh less than 100 grams (3.53 ounces), among other things. And in addition to interacting with your voice, typing or hand gestures, Orion has a “neural interface” that lets you send a signal from your brain to the device.
There’s no release date yet for Orion — Zuckerberg called it a “glimpse of the future.”
Zuckerberg seemed in his element as he spoke to a cheering and clapping crowd, saying that Meta is working to “bring the future to everyone” with its headsets, glasses and AI system. As part of an update to its Llama model, people can now interact with Meta AI by speaking, using the voices of celebrities including John Cena, Judi Dench and Awkwafina.
Meta, which introduced the Quest 3 last year, showed off a cheaper version, the 3S, which will cost $299. The regular Quest 3 costs $499. The S3 will ship on October 15.
While VR glasses have gotten more attention, augmented reality Ray Bans have proven to be a dormant hit for Meta. The company hasn’t released sales figures, but Zuckerberg said during Meta’s July earnings call that the glasses “continue to be a bigger hit sooner than we expected — thanks in part to AI.” Zuckerberg said Wednesday that Meta appears to have overcome the supply issues that plagued Ray Bans a few months ago due to high demand.
“They’re kind of the perfect form factor for AI,” Zuckerberg said. The glasses, he added, let an AI assistant “see what you see, hear what you hear” and help you get through your day.
For example, you can ask the glasses to remind you where you parked or where you went to go grocery shopping, look at a pile of fruit and come up with a smoothie recipe, or help you pick out a party outfit.
Meta — which rebranded from Facebook in 2021 — still makes nearly all of its money from advertising. In its most recent quarter, 98% of its more than $39 billion in revenue came from ads. At the same time, the company is investing heavily in AI and what Zuckerberg sees as next-generation computing platforms, such as VR headsets and augmented reality goggles.