Meta’s annual Connect conference (formerly known as Oculus Connect) took place in Menlo Park, California from September 25-26, 2024. Here are the announcements.
Over the past year, Meta has taken massive strives to integrate AI features into its platforms.
Orion AR glasses
Meta revealed its Orion AR glasses that appear like a trendy pair of frames without the tech. Orion utilizes Micro LED projectors embedded in the frame while beaming images in front of your eyes via waveguides in the lenses.
Orion offers the same generative AI capabilities as their current Ray-Ban smart glasses, but with a visual element that makes things more helpful. For instance, it can put labels on top of the ingredients that you are looking at on the table.
The cheaper Quest 3S VR headset
The Quest 3S is Meta’s latest VR headset, and it’s launching for $299.99. The new headset offers much of the same features as the Quest 3, which is more expensive, and includes the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, and offers the same Touch Plus controllers.
This lower price point is possible thanks to the lack of depth sensor on the Quest 3S, lower resolution screens, narrower field of view, and lower compact package than the 3. With the 3S now in place, Meta will discontinue the Quest Pro and Quest 2 and simplify the VR lineup.
Ray-Ban glasses now offer new features
The stylish Ray-Ban glasses by Meta are receiving new software updates such as a Reminders feature will lets you keep track of your day (like your grocery list).
In addition, there are improvements to Meta AI responsiveness, and updates like real-time speech translation are in the works. When it comes to hardware, Meta is planning to launch new styles like a transparent frame and a new range of transition lenses.
AI images in Facebook and Instagram feeds
Facebook and Instagram feeds will soon offer Meta AI-generated content based on your interests and current trends in a section called “Imagined for you.”
It incorporates your face into made-up scenarios such as “an enchanted realm”, and you can do things like image yourself as an astronaut or video game character. As of right now, this feature is currently being tested.
Celeb chatbots
Meta previously shut down its alternate persona feature on Instagram, but now it’s connecting new celebrities with AI versions of themselves, including big names such as Kristen Bell, John Cena, and Keegan-Michael Kay.
New Llama model with image processing
Meta has a new Llama model with the ability to process visuals, a feature that competitors have been offering for the past year, so it’s a critical step forward for Meta’s model. It also comes in smaller packages designed for mobile devices.