At the Meta Connect 2024 event, Meta announced its groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) glasses, named Orion. These innovative glasses feature silicon-carbide architecture, allowing for holographic projections that can seamlessly integrate with the real world. During the presentation, CEO Mark Zuckerberg highlighted that the Orion glasses will include advanced technologies such as AI voice assistance, hand-tracking, eye-tracking, and a wrist-based neural interface, enabling users to control various functions using brain signals. It seems that Meta’s Orion is poised to replace smartphones in the near future.
Key Features of Meta’s Orion AR Glasses
Unlike previous smart glasses from Ray-Ban, Orion combines real-world visuals with digital components using its cutting-edge AR technology. The design of Orion resembles the face-computers seen in Marvel’s Iron Man films. It boasts the largest field of view among AR glasses currently available, facilitating unprecedented high-level tasks. Users can expect features like multitasking windows, immersive entertainment, and life-size holograms that blend seamlessly into their physical surroundings. Meta emphasizes that the Orion glasses are lightweight and adaptable for indoor and outdoor activities, allowing for personal interactions even when users are apart.
One of Orion’s standout features is its design, which closely resembles regular eyeglasses, making them comfortable and familiar. The glasses come with fully transparent lenses, unlike mixed-reality (MR) headsets or other AR glasses, enabling users to see the eyes and expressions of those around them.
Integrated AI and Everyday Use Cases
Orion is deeply integrated with Meta AI, allowing the glasses to understand what users are looking at in their environment and provide useful visual aids. For instance, when opening a refrigerator, users can ask for recipe suggestions based on the ingredients available. Additionally, users can video call friends while managing a digital family calendar—all hands-free, even while doing the dishes.
With Orion, staying connected on platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger becomes effortless. There’s no need to pull out a phone to send messages or update friends about being late for dinner; users can accomplish these tasks through their glasses.
The Orion System Components
The Orion system consists of three parts: a “neural wristband” for controlling the glasses, and a wireless block resembling a large battery pack. While the glasses are standalone, they function best when within approximately 12 feet of the wireless puck for full capabilities.
Despite its impressive specifications, the true challenge for Meta will be to integrate Orion into everyday life. The company plans to start shipping these commercial AR glasses to consumers in 2027.
Quest 3S: Meta’s New Entry-Level Mixed Reality Headset
In addition to the Orion, Meta unveiled the Quest 3S, an entry-level version of its mixed-reality (MR) headsets. During the event, Meta shared that the Quest 3S will be available in two storage options: 128GB and 256GB. The pricing for the lower variant is set at $299.99 (approximately ₹25,000), while the higher variant will cost $399.99 (around ₹33,000).
The Quest 3S is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR 2 Gen 2 chipset, the same processor found in the previous Meta Quest 3 model launched last year. This latest MR headset offers double the graphical performance of the Meta Quest 2 and includes fresnel lenses and a sleeker design. It also features two RGB cameras and an action button to enable pass-through mode, allowing users to see virtual elements in their immediate surroundings.
The Quest 3S is expected to be available for purchase starting October 15. As part of this launch, Meta will discontinue the older Quest 2 and high-end Quest Pro devices, while also reducing the price of the more powerful Quest 3 from $649.99 to $499.99.