Meta Connect 2024: A Leap into the Future of Mixed Reality
Meta Connect 2024; Meta’s annual showcase, brought a series of exciting announcements, showcasing the company’s advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). With a focus on making these technologies more accessible and integrated into everyday life, here’s a breakdown of the major products and features that were highlighted during the event:
1. Meta Quest 3S



The Meta Quest 3S, a more affordable version of the original Quest 3 VR headset, was one of the headline products revealed. Priced at $299 for the 128GB model and $399 for the 256GB model, it delivers a solid VR experience at a lower cost. The Quest 3S features slightly reduced specs, such as Fresnel lenses, offering a narrower field of view, but still supports mixed-reality experiences that blend digital and physical environments. The headset will be available starting October 15, 2024, and is aimed at broadening VR adoption.
2. Orion AR Glasses



Meta also showcased the Orion AR glasses, a prototype device aimed at revolutionizing the AR experience. These lightweight glasses offer a 70-degree holographic field of view and incorporate real-time AI features. With advanced eye-tracking and gesture control, the Orion glasses are designed to overlay digital content seamlessly into the real world. Although these glasses remain in the prototype phase, Meta plans to release them to external developers soon, with a consumer launch targeted for the future.
3. Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Updates



Meta’s partnership with Ray-Ban continues to evolve, with new smart glasses that feature live AI-powered language translation and real-time object recognition. Users can now receive on-the-go translations between English, French, Italian, and Spanish through the glasses’ AI capabilities, which also assist with everyday tasks like identifying objects and setting reminders. The smart glasses integrate seamlessly with music apps like Amazon Music and Audible, enhancing their functionality.
4. Meta AI and Llama 3.2

Meta’s AI ecosystem received significant updates, with the introduction of Meta AI voice features. This allows users to interact with AI across multiple platforms such as Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram using voice commands. Celebrity voices, including John Cena, Awkwafina, and Judi Dench, can now be used to personalize these interactions. Meta’s Llama 3.2 AI model was also highlighted, offering multimodal capabilities such as image analysis, which allows users to ask the AI to interpret data from graphs, maps, and other visual content.
5. Gaming Announcements



Meta Connect also delivered some exciting updates for VR gaming enthusiasts. New titles for the Meta Quest ecosystem include Batman: Arkham Shadow, launching on October 22, and other notable releases like Alien: Rogue Incursion and a VR version of Wordle. These new experiences aim to broaden Meta’s gaming portfolio and appeal to a wide range of players.
6. Meta’s Vision for the Future
Throughout the event, CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized Meta’s long-term vision of integrating AR, VR, and AI into everyday life. Products like the Orion AR glasses and Quest 3S aim to make immersive technology more accessible, while AI advancements like Meta AI and Llama 3.2 bring smarter, more personalized interactions across platforms. The event also reiterated Meta’s commitment to enhancing the metaverse, with new tools and customization options for avatars that will allow users to create more personalized digital representations.
Meta Connect 2024 revealed not only immediate product launches but also a glimpse into the future of AR, VR, and AI. By making these technologies more affordable and integrated into daily life, Meta continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital world.