In a groundbreaking speech at the Meta Connect event held at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed several key announcements that shed light on Meta’s strategic direction amidst the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality technologies.
The event witnessed significant revelations:
1. Quest 3 Mixed Reality Device: Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Quest 3 Mixed Reality device, set to commence shipping on October 10. This innovative headset, priced starting at $500, harnesses the same cutting-edge mixed-reality technology featured in Meta’s Quest Pro device launched the previous year.
2. Roblox on VR: Zuckerberg disclosed that the popular gaming platform Roblox will make its debut on VR, expanding the horizons of virtual gaming.
3. The Metaverse Vision: The CEO emphasized Meta’s commitment to shaping the future of human connection, envisioning a world where individuals engage with holographic renditions of friends or colleagues and collaborate with AI bots designed to assist them. Zuckerberg declared, “Soon the physical and digital realms will merge in what we term the metaverse.”
4. Next-Gen Ray Ban Stories: The event introduced the next iteration of Meta’s Ray Ban Stories smart glasses. These enhanced smart glasses empower users to capture video or photos, live stream, enjoy music, and interact seamlessly with the Meta AI assistant. Priced at $299, they will hit the market on October 17.
5. AI-Driven Personalization: Zuckerberg acknowledged the overarching challenge of maintaining user engagement. He emphasized Meta’s commitment to AI-driven personalization and other initiatives to sustain user interest.
6. AI Models Availability: Meta intends to make its new AI models accessible for download directly or through partnerships, including availability on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform. These models will be complemented by safety and content management tools.
In anticipation of the event, Meta had previously announced the rollout of mobile and web versions of its flagship social VR platform, Horizon Worlds, aligning with its strategic vision unveiled earlier last year.
Mark Zuckerberg’s address at the Meta Connect conference signifies Meta’s resolute commitment to innovation and the evolving digital landscape.
