Meta recently showcased several significant steps forward in augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) technology. The roster features the company’s first ‘true’ AR glasses, Orion, the more affordable Meta Quest 3s headset, and AI-powered Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Each product represents an attempt by Meta to integrate immersive technologies with the ordinary use of every day items-situating it effectively within a high-tech ecosystem.
Orion: Meta’s first augmented reality glasses
Orion is another big leap by Meta into the AR space, this time focusing very much on immersive experiences. Instead of being a traditional AR device that works just on digital or just on the physical, Orion will focus on digital and physical combined intervention. It allows the users to interact with holographic objects through these glasses, receive constant real-time navigation data, or be provided with notifications.
Orion is designed to be comfortable so that the product can be worn for long periods of time and integrated into a person’s routine. But for at least Meta, this launch is a step in its ongoing process. The AR glasses haven’t yet gone mainstream. Meta is still in the early stages of perfecting what it means for the VR vision to be realized practically.
Meta Quest 3s: Lowering the barrier to mixed reality
Meta introduces its most affordable MR headset with the Meta Quest 3s. The product, described as balancing virtual reality and AR to bring an immersive experience at a lower price point for users, will be a Quest 3 series add-on.
The Quest 3s offers hand tracking and visual quality improved, with which one interacts easily and naturally with the digital objects around him. It gives a consumer access to entertainment, education, and gaming experiences. Still, due to its affordability, MR technology is still a niche market, and its uptake takes quite some time.
Pricing and availability
The Meta Quest 3S is now available for a pre-order on Meta.com. The base model begins at a price of $299.99, that is, about ₹25,100. There’s also the 256 GB model priced at$399.99 (around ₹33,465). The 512 GB Meta Quest 3 now costs $499.99 (~₹41,830).
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Ray-Ban Meta glasses: AI integration meets wearable tech
Meta has collaborated with Ray-Ban to develop a fresh set of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, fully empowered by AI. The smart glasses come with a voice-controlled AI assistant and are more deeply connected to the Meta ecosystem of its applications and services. Moreover, with Ray-Ban Meta glasses, one will be able to take snapshots or get notifications without having the need of using a phone.
The design is a combination of everyday utility and something familiar in fashion, but the extent to which AI-powered glasses will be practical and useful can only be speculated about. Seamless integration is the heart of Meta’s approach, but others are producing their own versions of similar AR and wearable technologies.
Meta’s AI ecosystem: Connecting devices
Ray-Ban Meta glasses embed AI-driven features into the broader AI strategy, which Meta has announced during its product update only recently. Starting from here, Meta considers increasing integration with AI within its devices and making interactions with digital objects more intuitive. This goes inline with Meta’s overall vision of producing a seamless ecosystem for all its products: from AR glasses to wearables — and connecting them all through AI.
However, as with most emerging technologies, the success of AI and AR integration is reliant on both technological advancements and user acceptance.