Meta Connect 2023: Everything Revealed in 10 Minutes

CNET
27 Sept 202309:57

TLDRMeta Connect 2023 unveiled the Quest 3, a mixed reality headset blending physical and digital worlds, with advanced hand tracking and precise controllers. It's standalone, understands space for gameplay and workouts, and features a high-resolution display. Xbox cloud gaming is set to arrive, and 'augments' will offer interactive digital objects. The headset, 40% thinner with improved comfort and controllers, starts at $499. Meta AI will integrate across Meta's apps, offering assistance and conversation capabilities, with plans to embody them as avatars in the metaverse. The next-gen Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses were also announced, with built-in AI for hands-free interaction, media capture, and live streaming, priced at $299.

Takeaways

  • 🎉 Introduction of Quest 3, the first mainstream mixed reality headset from Meta.
  • 🚀 Most powerful headset ever shipped by Meta, blending physical and digital worlds seamlessly.
  • 🤲 Enhanced hand tracking and new Precision controllers designed for gaming and work.
  • 🔌 Completely standalone with no wires or battery packs, maintaining a strong sense of presence.
  • 🎮 Recognizes physical space and allows for interactions like playing Lego puzzles or creating on any flat surface.
  • 🕹 Improved pixel density by 10 times compared to Quest 2 for better physical space mapping and interaction.
  • 📺 Xbox cloud gaming integration coming to Quest in December, with augmented experiences launching next year.
  • 👓 Meta AI integration, acting as personal assistants across WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram Direct, and soon, Quest 3.
  • 🧠 AI Studio platform for users to build their own AI assistants, starting with messaging app integration and expanding to a Sandbox for non-coders.
  • 🕶 Next generation Ray-Ban smart glasses with built-in Meta AI, hands-free interaction, and live streaming capabilities.
  • 📅 Availability of Quest 3 on August 10th, pre-order starts today at $499, and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses launching on October 17th at $299.

Q & A

  • What is the main feature of the newly introduced Quest 3 headset?

    -The main feature of the Quest 3 headset is that it is a mainstream mixed reality device that allows users to blend the physical and digital worlds together. It offers advanced hand tracking and precision controllers for extra control in games or work.

  • How does Quest 3 enhance the user's sense of presence in the virtual environment?

    -Quest 3 enhances the user's sense of presence by providing a high pixel density display that maps the user's physical space with two dedicated color camera sensors and a depth sensor, allowing for realistic interactions with the virtual environment.

  • What is the significance of the Xbox cloud gaming coming to Quest?

    -The introduction of Xbox cloud gaming to Quest in December signifies a major expansion of gaming options for users, bringing a vast library of games to the Quest platform and potentially offering high-quality gaming experiences without the need for physical hardware.

  • Can you explain the concept of 'augments' being introduced by Meta?

    -Augments are persistent, spatially anchored digital objects that users can interact with in their environment. They can include photo frames, digital portals for workouts, or other interactive elements that blend the digital and physical worlds.

  • How does the new generation processor and optics in Quest 3 improve the user experience?

    -The new generation processor and optics in Quest 3 offer better performance and display quality, making the virtual reality experience smoother and more immersive. It also allows for a 40% thinner design, increasing comfort during extended use.

  • What are the capabilities of the AI assistants being developed by Meta?

    -Meta is developing AI assistants capable of performing a variety of tasks, such as helping with recipe planning, editing written content, suggesting travel destinations, and even acting as a dungeon master in role-playing games. These AIs can interact with users across various Meta platforms.

  • How will AI Studio and the Sandbox platform empower users to create their own AI assistants?

    -AI Studio is a platform that allows users to build their own AI assistants by integrating APIs into messaging apps. The Sandbox is an upcoming tool designed for non-coders to train and create AI assistants, making AI development accessible to a wider audience.

  • What are the key improvements in the next generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses?

    -The next generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses features better cameras for clearer images and videos, improved audio quality for music and calls, lighter and more comfortable design, more style options, and integrated Meta AI for hands-free interaction.

  • How can users interact with the integrated AI in the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses?

    -Users can interact with the integrated AI in the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses hands-free, asking questions, getting information on the go, and even live streaming to friends and followers directly from the glasses.

  • What is the release date and pricing for the Quest 3 headset and the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses?

    -The Quest 3 headset is set to release on August 10th and is available for pre-order at $499. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are launching on October 17th, starting at $299.

Outlines

00:00

🎮 Introducing Quest 3: The Ultimate Mixed Reality Headset

The first paragraph introduces the Quest 3, a groundbreaking mixed reality headset that blends the physical and digital worlds seamlessly. It is the most powerful headset ever shipped, featuring advanced hand tracking and brand new Precision controllers for gaming and work. The headset is completely standalone, requiring no wires or battery packs, and enhances the user's sense of presence. With Quest 3, users can navigate their physical surroundings and bring digital objects into their world. The headset understands the user's space, allowing for activities like solving Lego puzzles or building creations on any flat surface. It also enables multiplayer gaming and workout experiences, with the headset showing the user's physical space with 10 times more pixels than its predecessor, the Quest 2. The advanced mapping capabilities of Quest 3, using color cameras and a depth sensor, allow for realistic interactions with both digital and physical objects. The integration of Xbox cloud gaming and the upcoming 'augments' feature, which involves persistent, spatially anchored digital objects, are also highlighted. The headset is set to ship on August 10th, priced at $499.

05:02

🤖 Meta AI and the Future of Interactive Assistants

The second paragraph discusses the integration of Meta AI into various aspects of life, starting with its basic assistant capabilities that can be accessed through messaging apps like WhatsApp and Instagram Direct. The introduction of Max, the sous chef AI, is highlighted for its ability to assist in meal planning and recipe creation. Other specialized AI assistants, such as Lily for personal editing and Lorena for travel planning, are mentioned. The paragraph also touches on the upcoming AI Studio, a platform for building custom AI assistants, and the Sandbox initiative, aimed at enabling non-coders to train AI. The potential for these AI assistants to be embodied as avatars in the metaverse is also explored. The presentation concludes with a teaser for the next generation of Ray-Ban meta smart glasses, which will feature built-in Meta AI for hands-free interaction.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Meta Connect 2023

Meta Connect 2023 is the title of the event where new products and features are being revealed. It signifies a conference or a gathering hosted by Meta, a company focused on creating technologies for the future, particularly in the realm of mixed reality and virtual experiences.

💡Quest 3

Quest 3 is a mainstream mixed reality headset that represents the latest innovation in blending the physical and digital worlds. It is designed to be the most powerful headset ever shipped by Meta, offering advanced hand tracking and precision controllers for an immersive experience without the need for wires or external devices.

💡Hand tracking

Hand tracking is a feature of the Quest 3 headset that enables users to interact with the digital world using natural hand gestures, eliminating the need for traditional controllers. This technology enhances the immersive experience by making it more intuitive and realistic.

💡Precision controllers

Precision controllers are new input devices designed for the Quest 3 headset, tailored for activities requiring finer control, such as gaming or work. These controllers are intended to provide an additional level of precision and interaction in the virtual environment.

💡Mixed reality

Mixed reality is a blend of real-world and virtual content, where digital objects coexist and interact with the physical environment. It represents a technological advancement that enhances the user's perception by overlaying a digital layer onto the user's real-world view.

💡Standalone

The term 'standalone' in the context of the Quest 3 headset refers to its ability to function without being connected to a PC or requiring an external power source. This feature ensures a wireless and unrestricted experience, contributing to a more immersive and uninterrupted interaction with the mixed reality environment.

💡X Cloud Gaming

X Cloud Gaming is a service that allows users to play video games without the need for powerful hardware, as the gaming experience is streamed from servers. This service is set to come to Quest, indicating an expansion of gaming possibilities within the mixed reality platform.

💡Augments

Augments, as described in the script, are persistent, spatially anchored digital objects that users can interact with in their environment. These objects can be photos, videos, or even workout portals that integrate with the user's physical space, enhancing their daily activities with digital enhancements.

💡AI Studio

AI Studio is a platform being developed by Meta that allows users to build and train their own artificial intelligence systems, known as AI. This initiative aims to democratize AI development, enabling non-developers to create AI that can be integrated into messaging apps and other services.

💡Ray-Ban smart glasses

Ray-Ban smart glasses are a new generation of wearable technology that combines the style of traditional Ray-Ban eyewear with the functionality of smart devices. These glasses are equipped with Meta AI, allowing users to interact hands-free with the technology, receive information, and even live stream their experiences.

💡Metaverse

The metaverse is a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of physically persistent virtual reality and physically embedded digital technologies. It allows users to interact with a computer-generated environment and with each other through avatars, offering a new platform for social interaction, entertainment, and work.

Highlights

Quest 3 is the first mainstream mixed reality headset introduced by Meta.

It is the most powerful headset Meta has ever shipped, blending the physical and digital worlds.

Quest 3 features advanced hand tracking and brand new Precision controllers for games and work.

The headset is completely standalone, without wires or a battery pack.

Quest 3 understands physical space, allowing users to play and create on any flat surface in their room.

The device shows the physical space with 10 times more pixels than Quest 2, and automatically maps the space using dedicated sensors.

Xbox cloud gaming is coming to Quest in December, with augmented experiences launching next year.

Meta is building a platform for creating AI that can help users get things done or have fun across the Meta Universe of products.

AI profiles will be available on Instagram and Facebook, and users will be able to interact with them as embodied avatars in the metaverse.

Meta AI is a basic assistant available for messaging across WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram Direct, and soon on Quest 3.

Max the sous chef AI helps with recipe planning and ideas, adjusting for dietary preferences.

Lily, the personal editor AI, assists with brainstorming, writing, and editing texts.

Lorena helps with travel planning, finding the best barbecues, national parks, and beautiful spots for kids.

AI Studio is a platform for building AI experiences, starting with APIs for integration into messaging apps.

A Sandbox is being developed for non-coders to train AI, with a planned release early next year.

The next generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses is designed for staying connected without using a phone.

The smart glasses have upgraded cameras, better audio, and are lighter and more comfortable than the first version.

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are the first to be built in with Meta AI, allowing for hands-free interaction.

Users can live stream from their glasses and get real-time information and assistance throughout their day.