During Meta’s “Connect 2023 conference, which commenced on September 27th, CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced a range of AI-powered services and unveiled the Meta Quest 3 Virtual Reality (VR) headset. It will be sold in the US for $499.99 for the 128GB version and $649.99 for the 512GB storage model. It is equipped with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, promising double the GPU processing power compared to its predecessor.
The Meta Quest 3 mixed reality headset incorporates two RGB cameras. Meta claims that the new headset offers ten times the resolution of the Quest 2 and twice that of the Quest Pro in passthrough mode. Users can use the headset to perceive their surroundings while seamlessly interacting with virtual objects in their physical environment. In addition, Quest 3 will support Xbox Cloud Gaming and Microsoft 365 apps, providing users with a versatile headset for entertainment and productivity.
Pre-orders for the Meta Quest 3 are currently open in the US, and the device will be available for purchase starting from October 10th.
Meta also collaborated with Ray-Ban to introduce the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. These smart glasses feature a 12MP camera capable of capturing images and videos, including live streaming on Facebook and Instagram. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses will be available in two design options, Wayfarer and Headliner, and will be accessible in 15 countries, including Europe, North America, and Australia, with prices starting at $299.
Additionally, Meta introduced its own AI-driven chatbot, Meta AI, which will be accessible on apps such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. In the future, the company plans to integrate it into the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses and the Quest 3 VR headset to enable hands-free calls and music playback.
Meta AI relies on a customized model built upon the Llama 2 language model, Meta’s latest large language model (LLM). In order to activate the assistant, users simply need to type “@MetaAI /imagine” followed by a descriptive text prompt. For example, a user can request the creation of a specific sticker, and Meta AI will generate a digital sticker matching the description within the chat conversation.
“It’s not just designed to answer queries,” Zuckerberg said, adding: “This is about entertainment and about helping you do things to connect with the people around you.” He emphasized that Meta wants these technologies to be accessible to everyone.
