Meta, Facebook's parent company, has launched a cheaper Quest 3 virtual reality (VR) headset and demonstrated its progress in augmented reality (AR) technology at the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, California. The company also announced significant advancements in its artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, highlighting its ongoing push to lead in both VR and AI fields.
The Quest 3S, a lower-cost model priced at $299, will be available starting October 15. This move aims to solidify Meta's dominance in the VR space by making the technology more accessible. Meta showcased "Orion," its most advanced AR glasses prototype alongside the new headset. The glasses feature the industry's widest field of view but are still developing before a consumer release.
In addition to hardware, Meta is ramping up its AI capabilities. The company introduced Llama 3.2, an upgraded version of its AI model. It now includes a vision system and a lightweight version optimized for mobile devices. Meta’s AI assistant will gain new features across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, including voice control and the ability to analyze photos and edit them, such as changing backgrounds or removing objects.
Further expanding AI integration, Meta plans to use AI for personalized content creation and will roll out new features in its Ray-Ban Smart glasses. These updates include live translation and real-time visual assistance for tasks like cooking or navigating new locations.