Meta Connect 2024: A glimpse into the future

Meta’s annual developer conference, Meta Connect 2024, delivered a powerhouse of announcements. Here are the top 3 highlights:

1. Meta Unveils Orion: Get ready for the future of augmented reality! Meta introduced “Orion,” groundbreaking holographic glasses designed for consumers, but with no confirmed release date yet.
2. Quest Gets an Upgrade: The highly anticipated Quest 3S VR headset is here, starting at $299. It seamlessly integrates with existing Quest apps and prioritizes mixed-reality features.
3. Meta AI Gets a Voice: Meta AI is taking a step forward with voice interaction. Users can now chat with Meta AI via voice commands on platforms like Messenger and get responses in simulated voices, including celebrity options.

Beyond the Headlines:

• Meta discontinues Quest 2 and Pro headsets with the arrival of the Quest 3S.
• Meta’s AI model Llama 3.2 gets smarter, offering features like image analysis and captioning (unavailable in Europe due to regulations).
• Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses receive upgrades like real-time AI video processing, language translation, and music streaming app integration.
• Meta AI showcases its visual search capabilities, allowing users to search based on images and edit photos with AI assistance.
• Facebook embraces AI-generated content suggestions for users to potentially share or engage with.
• Meta tests translated and dubbed content experiences for creators, syncing lip movements with translated audio.
• A wave of new VR games arrives for the Quest ecosystem, including Batman: Arkham Shadow and a VR version of Wordle.

This is just a taste of what Meta Connect 2024 offers. From cutting-edge hardware to powerful AI advancements, Meta is shaping the future of technology.