Meta Connect 2024 Key Innovations Part 1

Welcome to the “Innovators”!

My name is Andrzej Horoch, and today we will focus on summarizing Meta Connect 2024 – an event that shook the world of new technologies.

Meta has presented several key innovations that will impact the development of the metaverse and virtual reality (VR)—or as I like to emphasize—new ways of interacting in real time with digital content. It’s important to note, however, that this year’s Meta Connect was dominated by the concept of integrating AI solutions with augmented reality glasses. This is a significant step toward solidifying a new product category—glasses that can analyze what we see and connect this information in real time with online resources.

But are we ready for life with our new AI assistant, who sees what we see and accompanies us throughout the day?

I promised to create a separate episode with expert commentary on Meta Connect, focusing solely on artificial intelligence. In this episode, I point out the similarities and differences in the approach to building VR/AR products between Apple and Meta, and explain why this new product category of AI wearable technology is important. This comparison of tech giants greatly helps to better understand the market and the direction in which innovations are heading.

Here are some key highlights from Meta’s announcements, but for the full picture and detailed explanation, check out the podcast.

• Orion AR Glasses: The biggest novelty is the prototype Orion augmented reality glasses, which Meta touts as “the most advanced AR glasses in the world.” For now, they are only available to a selected group of developers, but they are a crucial step toward consumer adoption of AR. One could say that Meta’s team achieved the “impossible”—miniaturizing the necessary electronics enough to fit them into thin glasses resembling regular prescription ones. These glasses truly offer augmented reality in its basic sense—integrating digital objects and information with our physical environment. In contrast, another product from Meta, the AR glasses in collaboration with Ray-Ban, though labeled as “AR,” extend reality by recording and analyzing the world we see through AI—yet they lack the ability to integrate 3D objects. The confusion over AR definitions continues! 🙂 We will have to wait for the Orion glasses—Zuck says he needs a few more years to significantly lower production costs.

• Meta Quest 3’s younger sibling – “Quest 3S”: Meta introduced new, cheaper VR goggles—Quest 3S, which are set to replace the older Quest 2 and Quest Pro models. The new VR headset is priced at $299, making it more accessible to a broader audience—currently available for preorder at 1400 PLN on Meta’s website. However, in the VR/AR glasses category, consumers are still waiting for a model that will be comfortable—or even unnoticeable on the face ;)—so that mainstream users start adopting them widely. Meanwhile, the B2B market welcomes the new, cheaper glasses, although we’re all waiting for the next version of their older sibling, Meta Quest 4.

• Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses: Meta has updated its Ray-Ban AR glasses, now offering improved AI features such as object recognition and natural voice command processing. The glasses also feature enhanced live translation in four languages: English, French, Spanish, and Italian. Here we have a solution straight out of science fiction—a conversational AI assistant that can help us with what we see, like which tie matches the shirt, translate sign language, or a restaurant menu in a foreign country. Forget typing prompts—now we can just talk to the “internet.” BUT—these innovations are not yet available in the European Union due to AI regulations. In general, Meta and the EU have a bit of a conflict in this area. I’m rooting for both sides to protect our interests as users in a trustworthy manner.

Is Meta transforming from a social media platform to an AI leader? Want to learn more? Be sure to check out the new episode of Innovators, and now, tune into the full podcast on my LinkedIn and YouTube! There, you’ll find more details, practical examples, and further reflections on the future of artificial intelligence and the metaverse in business.

What else is worth knowing?

• You can purchase my book “Kierunek Metaverse”, available in stores like Empik. You can choose from a printed version, audiobook, or e-book. I greatly enjoy the reviews I receive from you.
• Here you can sign up for tests of our VR solutions tailored to the specific needs of the companies you work for. We can send you VR glasses or meet in person for an inspirational session. I highly recommend it!
• You can also invite me to conduct an inspiring workshop on new VR/AR technologies, Metaverse, innovation implementation and promotion, as well as engaging employees in change. Feel free to message me on LinkedIn.
• You can also invite me to conduct an inspiring workshop on VR/AR/Metaverse technologies, innovation implementation, and employee engagement in change. Write to me on LinkedIn.
• Let’s get to know each other better. Listen to my dynamic interview on RMF FM, where I talk about the secrets of effective innovation work, explain what the Metaverse is, and how new technologies work.