Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently introduced “Orion,” a prototype of augmented reality (AR) glasses, at Meta’s annual developers’ conference in Silicon Valley. These AI-enabled glasses are touted as the most advanced in the world and have the potential to rival smartphones. Orion overlays holographic images onto the wearer’s view and is designed to be stylish with Ray-Ban designs. The glasses feature advanced AI capabilities, including answering questions and real-time translations, and allow interaction through gestures and voice commands for activities like virtual games.
Despite the excitement, Zuckerberg cautioned that Orion is still in development and years away from release. The glasses weigh about 100 grams, making them lighter than Meta’s Quest and Apple’s Vision Pro. Meta also launched AI chatbots featuring voices of celebrities like John Cena and Judi Dench to enhance user engagement. These voice features will be available on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, although not in Europe due to data protection regulations.
Critics highlight concerns about privacy and trust, noting that users often encounter Meta AI inadvertently, especially as it replaces traditional search functions. Despite these concerns, Meta’s strong advertising revenue has boosted profits, with shares rising 60 percent this year. Analysts express hesitance over data usage, with some stating that Meta is not the first brand that comes to mind when thinking about AI.
Key Information:
- Product: Meta’s Orion AR glasses
- Features: AI-enabled, holographic overlays, real-time translations, gesture and voice command interactions
- Design: Stylish Ray-Ban designs, weighs about 100 grams
- Development Status: Still in development, years away from release
- Additional Launches: AI chatbots with celebrity voices
- Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp (not in Europe due to data regulations)
- Critics’ Concerns: Privacy, trust, inadvertent encounters with Meta AI
- Market Impact: Meta’s shares have risen 60 percent this year due to strong advertising revenue.