So, I wanted to note a few things from Meta’s Connect event last week. The most significant announcement is a device codenamed Orion… that you can’t buy. Meta’s Orion AR glasses, unveiled by Mark Zuckerberg, are a promising but currently unavailable wearable computer that could revolutionize computing. While they offer features akin to smartphones and utilize eye tracking and a muscle-reading wristband for interaction, their high production cost of around $10,000 means they won’t be mass-produced for years.
Meta plans to launch consumer-targeted AR glasses based on the Orion prototype before 2030, aiming for a price range between smartphones and laptops, likely around $1,000.
Big Technology had one of the best writeups of the hands-on experience if you are interested.
ZDNet highlighted how Meta is outpacing Apple in innovation with new products like the Quest 3S and AI-enhanced Ray-Ban smart glasses. While Apple continues to refine existing products, Meta is making bold advancements in mixed reality and AI technologies, positioning itself as a leader in the space.
So an article in Information Week is timely – how to make Spatial Computing practical. Spatial computing integrates virtual and physical worlds through AR, VR, and IoT technologies, enhancing workforce skills and productivity across manufacturing, healthcare, and retail industries. Benefits include improved training, collaboration, and operational efficiency, while challenges involve privacy and security concerns. Organizations are advised to start with pilot projects and ensure robust network infrastructure to support the technology’s demands.
This is a long-term reason to care – Meta has shown what the finish line looks like in the so-called race for spatial computing. AR glasses with sophisticated interaction methods like eye-tracking and muscle-reading, and Meta has sent a signal that they intend to be a leader here. The technology could lead to a new computing paradigm integrating AI with real-world awareness.
That’s a big could, and the trick is the timeframe. The lenses are the most expensive part – by a lot –so from a strategic perspective, that is the area to watch.