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It has been a big year for Meta as it ramps up its efforts in AI. Like many tech giants, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram is also attempting to make inroads in the field. Many of these new features are set to be showcased at its annual conference, Meta Connect 2024. Here’s what we hope to expect from the event.
What is Meta Connect?
Meta describes the event as a “virtual conference” featuring the technologies that are “shaping the future.” The developers’ conference is said to be devoted to AI and virtual, mixed, and augmented realities. Last year, it celebrated its tenth anniversary, putting its focus on “reshaping the way we experience our physical and digital worlds.”
The company showcased the world’s first mainstream headset built for mixed reality called Meta Quest 3 at its third conference, while unveiling its image generation model, Emu. It also revealed its first smart glasses to ship with Meta AI built in.
Introducing Meta Quest 3.
Coming this fall. Sign up for updates at: https://t.co/gt8P9KkNsd
Learn more at Meta Connect on September 27 – 28.#MetaQuest3 pic.twitter.com/CPFtGyNYC2
— Meta Quest (@MetaQuestVR) June 1, 2023
Since 2014, the event now known as Meta Connect has been held annually at the end of the calendar year. It was first called Oculus Connect, but it was later renamed Facebook Connect, and has been known as Meta Connect since 2022.
When is Meta Connect 2024?
Meta Connect 2024 is scheduled for September 25 and 26, with both in-person and webcast elements. The event will highlight Meta’s latest digital solutions under its social media and extended reality (XR) portfolio.
Save 👏 the 👏 date 👏
Meta Connect 2024 is happening September 25th and 26th, and we can’t wait to show you what we have in store. What are you most excited about?
— Meta (@Meta) June 3, 2024
The event will be livestreamed on Meta’s official Facebook pages, @Meta and @MetaforDevelopers. Further details about speakers, topics, and additional information will be announced by the company later this summer.
Where is Meta Connect 2024, and how can you attend?
The event will be held both in-person and online in Menlo Park, San Francisco, which is where Meta’s headquarters are based.
Attendees can participate in the two-day conference either on-site or virtually through Facebook and Horizon Worlds. The Horizon Worlds app is only available in 13 countries, so it’s worth checking if you have access to this beforehand. Registration for the event is free and can be completed through Meta’s official website.
After registering on the website, you will receive regular updates and announcements as the event approaches.
What will they announce at Meta Connect?
While there are few details about the event, it is expected to feature a number of sessions, showcasing technology, and speakers such as CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
The conference comes at a turning point for Meta as it doubles down on AI while facing increased competition from XR rivals like Apple.
Earlier this year, Zuckerberg gave a breakdown of the Vision Pro when compared with Meta’s Quest 3 headset in which he said, “I don’t just think the Quest is better value, I think it is the better product, period.”
Meta Quest 3S
Meta is expected to discuss a more affordable version of the Meta Quest 3 VR headset, called Meta Quest 3S. It could potentially make VR technology more accessible to a wider audience.
A recent store listing leak suggested the existence of a “lite” model, though Meta has not yet officially confirmed it.
There is speculation that the Meta Quest 3s will include the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip and RGB cameras for full-color XR passthrough as the Quest 3, but will use the thicker lenses from the Quest 2 with a lower display resolution to hit a $299 price point for budget-conscious consumers.
Earlier this year, Meta announced its open-source Horizon OS, with partners like ASUS ROG and Lenovo set to create their own VR headsets. They may join the event at Connect to showcase their latest hardware, though there has been no formal announcement yet.
Orion AR Glasses Prototype
Attendees may get an early glimpse of the long-awaited Orion AR Glasses Prototype. Unlike Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses, which tend to focus on audio and camera features, the Orion AR glasses are designed to deliver genuine visual AR experiences with digital overlays that blend seamlessly with the real-world view.
.@ray_ban Stories let you take photos and videos of the world without having to hold another device — like snapping a photo of your dog while playing together or recording a video while skiing.
Get an inside look at how we built them: https://t.co/BZu9SNT2kX pic.twitter.com/rGMWg4H8wh
— Meta (@Meta) February 16, 2023
Meta has been working on the Orion glasses for nearly a decade, however, a final consumer product may still be a few years away. Meta might display an early prototype at the event to demonstrate its progress and encourage developers to begin creating AR apps for the platform.
This technology uses integration with AI models like Llama 3.1, so that it can process data rapidly on the device. It will also use Meta’s vision models to recognize real-world objects and locations.
AI chatbots and the metaverse
Meta is set to double down on AI across all its products and platforms. Earlier this year, the company previewed several AI innovations, including an AI assistant designed for WhatsApp, Instagram, and Quest, as well as AI-driven tools for image editing and avatar creation.
During the upcoming event, Meta is expected to also explore its conversational AI technologies. Meta’s platform for creating no-code AI chatbots, AI Studio, is of particular interest to developers. The company might also highlight developments within the Llama family of AI models, possibly unveiling new updates or upgrades to existing models.
Updates are also expected on the Meta Horizon ecosystem and the company’s strides in developing the metaverse, with a specific focus on the Horizon Worlds app. The company hopes to integrate avatars into the social VR platform.
Featured image: Meta / Ideogram / Canva
