Quest 3S, Ray-Ban and Orion glasses: Meta continues to bet on virtual reality

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has unveiled a series of products focused on virtual reality. On the program, three new products: the Quest 3S headset, a more affordable version of the Quest 3, Ray-Ban glasses enriched with new features, and the Orion project, futuristic augmented reality glasses.

Quest 3S: democratizing the VR headset

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Meta first introduced the Quest 3S, a more affordable virtual reality headsetwhich takes up the essentials of the Quest 3. Offered at a price of 329.99 euros (and available from October 15), the Quest 3S takes up the initial pricing of the Quest 2, thus positioning Meta as a key player in VR.

This new model shares several characteristics with its big brother. In particular, we find the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, guaranteeing sufficient computing power for fluid immersive experiences. The Touch Plus controllers, acclaimed for their ergonomics and precision, are also part of it.

To reach this attractive price, Meta had to make some concessions. The Quest 3S skips the depth sensor, features lower-resolution displays, and a narrower field of view. It also has a less compact design than the Quest 3. These compromises shouldn't significantly hamper the user experience for the general public.

This tier strategy allows Meta to simplify its VR offering. The Quest 2 and Quest Pro are bowing out, making way for a Quest 3/Quest 3S duo that covers a wide range of users.

Ray-Ban: smarter connected glasses

The result of a collaboration between Meta and the famous eyewear manufacturer, Ray-Ban smart glasses are getting a welcome software update. The addition of a Reminders function transforms these accessories into real personal assistants, capable of reminding you of your daily tasks or your shopping list.

Meta AI integration is also improving, with better responsiveness and real-time translation capabilities in development. These advances take Ray-Ban glasses beyond a simple gadget to a practical everyday tool.

On the design side, Meta is expanding its range with new styles, including a very trendy transparent frame and a collection of photochromic lenses.

Orion: the future of augmented reality according to Meta

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The most futuristic announcement of The event is unquestionably Project Orion. These augmented reality glasses represent Meta's long-term vision for human-machine interaction . Their design, close to classic glasses, hides cutting-edge technology.

Orion uses Micro LED projectors built into the frame to beam images directly into the wearer’s eyes via waveguides in the lenses. This technology adds a layer of visual information to the real world, opening the door to many practical applications.

The generative AI capabilities already present in current Ray-Ban eyewear are taken to a new level with Orion. The addition of contextual visual elements, such as labeling ingredients on a table, illustrates the potential of this technology to enrich our perception of the world.

The Orion system also consists of a wireless box and a “neural bracelet” worn on the arm, capable of responding to gestures such as fist movements.

Although promising, the Orion project is not yet ready to be marketed. Meta prefers to take the time to refine this technology before launching it on the market.

AI at the heart of the Meta ecosystem

Beyond hardware, Meta is banking mainly on artificial intelligence to enrich its platforms. The company announces the integration of AI-generated content into Facebook and Instagram news feeds. The feature, dubbed “Imagined for you”, will create personalized content based on the user's interests and current trends.

Even more surprising, Meta is working on AI chatbots embodying celebrities. Personalities like Awkwafina, John Cena and Dame Judi Dench will lend their voices to these virtual assistants, accessible from Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook in the United States.

Finally, Meta has unveiled a new version of its Llama language model. This major update allows for image processing, thus catching up with its competitors. Lighter versions of Llama, designed to run on mobile, are also in development.

Meta persists and signs

Despite the challenges encountered in recent years, Meta remains focused on its vision of a future where virtual and augmented reality are an integral part of our daily lives. The announcements from Meta Connect 2024 demonstrate an approach that is as ambitious as it is pragmatic.

With the Quest 3S, the company seeks to make VR more accessible while continuing to innovate with bold projects like Orion. It is consolidating its position in the wearables market with Ray-Ban glasses, a more mature product. This strategy allows Meta to address different market segments, from early adopters to still skeptical consumers.

This bet on VR and augmented reality is not without risks. The company has indeed invested billions of dollars in the development of these technologies, to the point of causing concern among investors. It remains to be seen whether these new announcements will end up convincing. Mark Zuckerberg has made VR a real obsession, but the results are struggling to be felt. Public reception will therefore be decisive for the future of the company's future investments.

• Meta launches the Quest 3S VR headset at $299.99, more affordable than the Quest 3 but with some technical compromises.
• Ray-Ban connected glasses gain new AI features and expanded design options.
• The Orion project (augmented reality glasses) is unveiled but not yet commercialized. It embodies Meta's futuristic vision in the field of augmented reality.

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