At its annual Connect conference in Menlo Park, California, Meta introduced a series of new products and updates, underscoring the company’s continued push into augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). From the prototype Orion AR glasses to the more budget-friendly Quest 3S headset, these announcements reflect Meta’s growing focus on making immersive technologies a key part of everyday life.
Orion AR Glasses: The Future of Augmented Reality?
Meta has long been vocal about its plans to lead in AR, and the unveiling of the Orion glasses represents a significant step towards that vision. Billed as the most advanced AR glasses ever developed, Orion is designed to merge physical and digital worlds, creating new ways for users to interact with their surroundings.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, expressed the importance of Orion, stating, “Orion is more than just another piece of hardware—it’s a glimpse of the future we’ve been working towards. The idea is to create a seamless connection between the physical and virtual worlds, where people can engage more naturally with both.”
Although still in the prototype stage, Orion is notable for its lightweight design and cutting-edge display technology. The glasses feature a large holographic display with an impressive 70-degree field of view, allowing users to view digital content overlaid onto their physical environment in real time. Unlike existing AR devices, Orion also comes with Meta’s AI capabilities, which provide contextual assistance based on the user’s surroundings. For instance, users can ask for a recipe based on the ingredients they have at home or make video calls using only voice commands and subtle gestures.
Orion’s input system is a notable development in AR technology, utilising a combination of voice recognition, eye tracking, hand gestures, and an electromyography (EMG) wristband that detects subtle finger movements. While Meta has not provided a timeline for when Orion will be available to consumers, it is already being tested internally by employees and select partners, with the company focused on refining the product based on feedback.
Expanding the Quest Ecosystem
Meta’s Quest line of VR headsets has long been at the forefront of immersive experiences, primarily focused on 3D and augmented reality applications. However, the company is now broadening the ecosystem to include more conventional 2D apps.
Mark Rabkin, Vice President of Horizon OS and Quest, announced that the Meta app store would now allow spatial and 2D apps to be used in virtual spaces. This means users can run smartphone-like apps while engaging in immersive VR experiences. For example, you can open a 2D app in one window while using VR for another task, reflecting a more integrated and flexible approach to app usage.
Rabkin noted, “We see the future of VR not just in immersive gaming or experiences, but as a platform that accommodates the full range of apps people use daily—whether it’s work, communication, or entertainment.”
Quest 3S: Affordable Entry to Mixed Reality
In line with its aim of making immersive technology more accessible, Meta launched the Quest 3S headset. Positioned as a more affordable option, the Quest 3S maintains the performance standards of its higher-end sibling, the Quest 3, but with some adjustments to make it more cost-effective.
Zuckerberg explained the strategy behind this launch, saying, “The Quest 3S is designed to bring mixed reality to more people. It’s about making sure that this technology isn’t just for early adopters but for everyone who’s interested in exploring new ways of interacting with the world.”
Priced at $299.99 for the 128GB model and $399.99 for the 256GB version, the Quest 3S offers a competitive entry point into VR. It shares the same processing power as the Quest 3, but features Fresnel lenses, which slightly reduce the field of view. Meta has also adjusted pricing for its premium Quest 3, dropping the 512GB model to $499.99, in an effort to attract enthusiasts.
In a bid to clear inventory, Meta will phase out its older Quest 2 and Quest Pro models by the end of this year, focusing its future VR efforts on the new lineup.
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses: Function Meets Style
Meta is also continuing to build on its partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, to enhance its line of smart glasses. The most significant upgrade is the introduction of real-time language translation, a feature that allows users to hear translated speech through the glasses’ speakers. Available initially in four languages—English, French, Italian, and Spanish—this feature is expected to roll out in the coming months.
The smart glasses now also include features such as hands-free calling, reminders triggered by taking a photo, and QR code scanning. To cater to a wider range of customers, Meta is introducing new styles, such as transition lenses and limited-edition clear frames that reveal the internal technology, limited to 7,500 units. Li-Chen Miller, head of wearables at Meta, showcased the clear frames at the conference.
Speaking on the role of AI in these advancements, Zuckerberg said, “AI is becoming an increasingly prominent feature in our glasses, enabling new ways for users to interact with the world. We see this as an important step toward our longer-term goal of making AR a daily utility.”
Metaverse Avatars and the Future of Digital Identity
In addition to hardware announcements, Meta is making substantial changes to its metaverse avatars, which are set to launch with new features on 1st October. Users will have more customisation options, from body types to facial features, and Meta is planning to integrate generative AI technology, allowing users to create avatars based on written prompts.
Aigerim Shorman, Vice President of the Horizon team, emphasised the importance of avatars in Meta’s broader vision for the metaverse. “We’re not just thinking about avatars as playful characters, but as extensions of people’s digital identities, with AI enabling richer, more personalised experiences.”
Starting in 2025, developers will be able to create non-player characters (NPCs) within Horizon Worlds, adding another layer of interaction to the virtual worlds that Meta is building. These AI-powered NPCs will respond to user inputs in real-time, providing a more immersive and interactive experience.
Meta’s Vision for the Future of Spatial Computing
These announcements mark Meta’s continued pivot towards spatial computing and immersive technologies, with AI playing a central role across the company’s product ecosystem. From the Orion AR glasses to the Ray-Ban smart glasses and Quest 3S, Meta is positioning itself as a leader in the AR/VR space.
Zuckerberg was clear about the long-term importance of these technologies, noting, “We’re still in the early stages of this journey, but our goal is to make immersive experiences as normal as using a smartphone today. Whether it’s through AR, VR, or AI-powered avatars, we’re building the foundation for a new way of interacting with the digital world.”
As Meta continues to develop these products, it’s clear that the company is committed to making immersive technology a core part of everyday life. With advancements in hardware, software, and AI integration, Meta is laying the groundwork for a future where AR and VR are not just niche interests but integral parts of how we live, work, and play.
