admin At its Connect conference, Meta revealed Orion, a prototype of its highly anticipated augmented reality glasses. These glasses blend the digital world with the physical by overlaying holograms onto real-life surroundings. Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg called Orion a “time machine,” offering a preview of what the future could look like as augmented reality (AR) becomes more integrated into daily life.
The Orion glasses are made from a lightweight magnesium alloy and powered by custom chips designed specifically for the device. Users can control the glasses through various methods, including hand-tracking, voice commands, and a neural interface that tracks wrist movements. Meta plans to continue refining the design, making the glasses smaller, sleeker, and more affordable. The company aims to release a consumer-ready version by 2027.
This isn’t Meta’s first foray into augmented reality. Over the past few years, the company has invested heavily in AR and the broader vision of a “metaverse.” However, delivering on these promises has been challenging due to the high costs and technological hurdles involved. While AR devices from other companies, such as Google’s Glass, have struggled in the past, Zuckerberg remains confident that Meta’s Orion glasses will be a game changer.
In addition to Orion, Meta also announced upgrades to its AI-powered products, including enhanced chatbots that can now generate personalized images and even respond with voices modeled after celebrities like John Cena and Judi Dench. Meta AI is becoming increasingly popular, with over 400 million users monthly.
Despite spending tens of billions of dollars on these ambitious projects, Meta faces financial losses, particularly in its Reality Labs division, which reported a loss of $8.3 billion in the first half of the year. However, Meta remains committed to augmented reality, viewing it as a key part of its future. The company is determined to continue pushing the boundaries of technology, with Orion representing a significant step forward in its AR journey.
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