Despite a late start, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s keynote at Meta Connect 2024 turned out to be a lively and newsworthy event. Zuckerberg and his team unveiled several new AI tools, including celebrity voice options and live translation for Meta AI, along with the Quest 3S headset and a prototype for advanced AR glasses. They also announced updates for the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses.
For a detailed recap of the event, including insights from Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff, check out our live blog.
Here are the six most important announcements from Meta’s keynote:
First Look at the Orion AR Glasses Prototype
The star of Meta Connect was the unveiling of the Orion AR glasses, Meta’s first fully holographic model. Similar in design to the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, they are slightly bulkier and come equipped with cutting-edge technology. These transparent glasses use a new display architecture and are controlled by hand gestures through a wristband connected to a neural network. Demonstrations highlighted their use in gaming and video calls with avatars. Although a few years from release, Meta plans to distribute developer kits soon while working to reduce the final price.
Meta Quest 3S Officially Announced
Meta confirmed the launch of the Quest 3S, an entry-level model in its mixed-reality headset lineup, priced at $299.99. Similar in design to the Quest 3, it boasts an upgraded camera setup and Qualcomm processor for seamless performance with Horizon OS. The Quest 3S supports gaming and multitasking, offering high-quality mixed-reality experiences at a more accessible price point.
Meta AI Now Features Celebrity Voices
Meta introduced voice functionality to its AI chatbot, allowing users to interact with Meta AI using celebrity voices like John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kristen Bell. Available on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, this update enables more natural and human-like conversations, positioning Meta AI to compete with major players like OpenAI, Google, and Apple.
New Updates for Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
While no new model was revealed, Meta announced updates for its Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. Users can now enjoy hands-free access to Spotify and Audible, request genres or artists, and take advantage of translation features by pointing at text in different languages. Additional improvements include visual reminders and faster transitions to sunglasses mode, with all updates expected to roll out before 2025.
AI Translation for Instagram and Facebook Reels
Meta introduced a new AI-powered translation tool for Instagram and Facebook Reels, allowing content creators to reach global audiences with automatic dubbing and lip-syncing. Currently being tested in the U.S. and Latin America, this tool will soon support more languages, enabling users to enjoy videos in their native language without subtitles.
AI Image Generation Comes to Facebook and Instagram
Meta is integrating its Imagine AI features into Facebook and Instagram, enabling users to generate and share custom images directly on their feeds and stories. Competing with other AI image generators, this tool adds a creative new element to Meta’s social platforms, allowing users to produce and post AI-generated images easily.
