Meta Connect 2023: Everything you need to know about Quest 3 VR, smart glasses

Meta’s annual Connect conference started today, and this means lots of new hardware. Are you ready for an update on Meta Quest 3? Didn’t have time to tune in live? That’s okay — we summed up the most important parts from the keynote below. And also what was missing. By that, of course, we mean the metaverse.

Meta Quest 3

Consider this a bonus treat for having to wait an extra 30 minutes for the keynote to begin. Meet Meta’s Quest 3, the headset model with improved passthrough tech, higher resolution displays and better graphics. There was also a tease for Meta Quest for business.

Xbox Cloud Gaming

With the hardware news, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the next generation of Meta Quest software. Roblox included.

• A virtual screen that can float in either a virtual or mixed reality space.
• Appears to be reposition-able and resizable.
• Coming in December.

Emu

Meta’s new foundational model for image generation, Emu, comes with some fun things. One is generative AI stickers which are coming to Meta’s messaging apps. It will allow users to create unique AI stickers in a matter of seconds across Meta apps including WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram and even Facebook Stories.

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses

Looking for some new glasses? Meta has you covered with its new Ray-Ban smart glasses.

• Two round modules on the side of either eye include a 12-megapixel camera and an LED light that flips on to alert others that you’re recording.
• You can livestream to friends and followers from the glasses.
• There are more than 150 design combos possible when you factor in frame color, style and lenses.
• You can pre-order now in certain markets. The price starts at $299 for standard lenses. Polarized run $329 and transitions $379.
• Coming soon: the ability to translate text.

Meta AI

We can tell Meta is angling for a seat at the AI chatbot table with the launch of a host of new AI-powered bots across its messaging apps. One is an AI assistant called Meta AI, which will soon come to Meta’s newly announced Quest 3 VR headset. It can help plan a trip with friends in a group chat, answer general-knowledge questions and search the internet across Microsoft’s Bing to provide real-time web results.

Also today, Meta launched AI Studio, a platform that’ll let businesses build AI chatbots for the company’s messaging services, including Facebook, Instagram and Messenger. Starting with Messenger, AI Studio will let companies “create AIs that reflect their brand’s values and improve customer service experiences,” according to the company. It is only available in alpha to start.

Speaking of AI, get a load of the vast list of celebrities and influencers who have signed on to let Meta use their likeness for some fun. There are now 28 AI characters based on famous people — but built entirely from AI — from across the worlds of sport, music, social media and more.