At its annual Connect conference, Meta previewed its first augmented reality (AR) glasses. The company also announced updates to its virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) products. One of the biggest AI updates is an audio feature for Meta’s ChatGPT-like assistant. Users can now choose voices that sound like celebrities, such as Judi Dench or John Cena. These updates show Meta’s commitment to building the “metaverse,” an immersive digital world that CEO Mark Zuckerberg first introduced in 2021.
Meta’s Long Road to AR Glasses
Meta has been working on AR glasses for years. When Zuckerberg first announced the shift toward the metaverse, AR technology was a big part of his vision. However, Meta has faced several technical challenges. Last year, the head of Meta’s Reality Labs division admitted that a viable AR product was still “a few years away.”
Despite the delays, Meta continues to invest heavily in AR, AI, and metaverse projects. The company’s spending is set to reach between $37 billion and $40 billion in 2024. Meta’s Reality Labs division reported $8.3 billion in losses during the first half of 2023 and $16 billion in losses in 2022. These costs reflect the huge financial resources needed to develop such advanced technology.
The first version of Meta’s AR glasses will be distributed to a select group of developers later this year. These glasses will cost tens of thousands of dollars to make. Meta plans to release a consumer-friendly version by 2027, after overcoming technical challenges and lowering production costs. Zuckerberg recently said Meta is “pretty close” to unveiling a prototype of the glasses.
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Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Find Success
While Meta’s full AR glasses are still in development, the company has found unexpected success with its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Originally launched with EssilorLuxottica, the smart glasses got a major upgrade last year. Meta added an AI-powered digital assistant that users can control with their voice. This made the smart glasses much more popular.
Meta hasn’t released official sales numbers, but EssilorLuxottica’s CEO said the latest version of the glasses sold more in a few months than the previous version did in two years. Market research firm IDC estimates that over 700,000 pairs of Ray-Ban Meta glasses have shipped since the AI upgrade. This shows that demand for AI-powered wearables is growing.
Meta recently extended its partnership with EssilorLuxottica and might even invest in the eyewear company. This has led to rumors that Meta’s future AR glasses could also be branded as Ray-Ban. Meta’s next-generation smart glasses will feature a viewfinder that can display text and images through the lenses, adding more features for users.
Meta’s Future in AR and AI
In 2023, Meta released several software updates to improve its AI assistant on the Ray-Ban Meta glasses. One update in April allowed the assistant to identify objects and discuss them with the wearer. These updates show Meta’s focus on blending AI with AR to enhance user experiences.
Meta is committed to building the future of augmented reality. By investing in partnerships and improving AI capabilities, the company is taking important steps toward making AR glasses accessible to the public. Although full AR glasses are still a few years away, Meta’s progress with smart glasses and AR technology signals a strong future for immersive digital experiences.
