Meta Platforms Inc. unveiled its latest innovation on Wednesday, the Meta Quest 3 VR headset, marking its bold entry into the mixed-reality mainstream market.
Priced at $499, the Meta Quest 3, set for release on October 10, offers immersive experiences for gaming, shopping, socializing, and news consumption. This move sets the stage for a head-to-head competition with their long-standing competitor, Apple Inc., which earlier announced its $3,500 Apple Vision Pro goggles to be delivered next year.
The launch of Meta Quest 3 could be seen as a crucial step for Meta Platforms, potentially their final opportunity to secure a dominant position in the VR headset market before the competition intensifies.
Digital objects merging with the physical world is a concept we’ve only begun to explore, commented Mark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive of Meta, during his keynote address at the company’s annual Connect developer conference on Wednesday morning. He further expounded on numerous AI-centric updates aimed at amplifying the company’s thrust into augmented and virtual reality.
Zuckerberg further emphasized the advancement of the newest Quest model, stating, “[t]his is the most-powerful Quest [Meta has] ever made.” He also acknowledged the integration of Qualcomm Inc.’s Snapdragon CPU into the device.
It should be noted that the announcement was rich in collaborations, notably with developers like software giant Microsoft Corp. This partnership aims to integrate the headset with Xbox cloud gaming and Microsoft 365. Furthermore, Meta disclosed the imminent release of their $299 Ray-Ban I Meta smart glasses on October 17, which will incorporate AI for the first time. They also unveiled AI Studio, a platform that allows businesses to build customized AI chatbots.
The initial availability of AI Studio will be in an alpha version, with Meta planning to expand the toolkit’s capacity beginning next year.
This new tool is designed to facilitate meaningful interactions with the company’s various messaging services, including Facebook, Instagram and Messenger. It’s an inclusive platform, catering to users of varying proficiencies, including those without coding skills. Additionally, Meta has launched a new conversational assistant which will be available across its messaging services. This move marks Meta’s significant strides in the AI chatbot race.
Meta’s latest announcements at the Connect developer conference have sparked a wave of excitement in the tech world. Particularly, the forthcoming launch of Meta Quest 3 is a clear indication that Meta is pushing the boundaries of virtual reality. This new product showcases Meta’s commitment to creating immersive experiences and reveals their vision for the future of digital interaction.
As Zuckerberg’s company continues to innovate, it will be interesting to see how these advancements shape our digital landscape and redefine how we connect with technology and each other.
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