Meta Connect 2025: Hardware, AI Announcements and Disasters

At its annual Connect event, Meta announced several new products and software features focused on virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. The key announcements included a new VR headset, updated smart glasses, and advancements to its large language models and AI tools. Here is a summary of the new items and their capabilities.

New Hardware and Devices

Meta introduced two main hardware products at the event:

Meta Quest 3S VR Headset

The Meta Quest 3S is a new virtual reality headset designed to be a more affordable alternative to the Meta Quest 3. It is available in two storage capacities, 128GB and 256GB. The device features a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, which is used to power mixed-reality experiences and immersive gaming. The Quest 3S has a high-definition resolution and is compatible with the existing Quest content library.

• Price: Starts at **$299.99** USD for the 128GB model.

• Availability: The Quest 3S is scheduled for release on October 15, 2024.

Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses

Meta and Ray-Ban introduced two new models of smart glasses: the Oakley Meta Vanguard and the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses. The latter features a heads-up display on the right lens. Interaction is managed by the Meta Neural Band, a wristband that uses electromyography (EMG) to detect subtle muscle movements in the forearm, allowing for gesture-based controls.

The glasses are equipped with a real-time AI assistant that can provide information about a user’s surroundings, offer language translation, and help with navigation. The Oakley model is designed for athletes and can integrate with fitness tracking services like Garmin and Strava to provide real-time performance data and record video highlights.

AI and Software Updates

Significant updates were announced for Meta's AI capabilities and its software platforms:

AI Integration and Features

The Meta AI assistant has received several key upgrades, including:

• Voice Interaction: Users can now communicate with Meta AI using voice commands. The assistant can respond with a variety of voice options, including some generated to sound like celebrities.

• Visual Analysis: The AI can now analyze images shared by users in chats and provide relevant information or perform edits based on text prompts.

• Reels Translation: An AI-powered tool is being tested that can automatically translate audio in Instagram Reels into other languages while synchronizing lip movements.

These announcements collectively indicate Meta's ongoing strategy to integrate AI across its entire ecosystem, from consumer hardware to its social media platforms.

*Information sourced from official Meta announcements and reports from the Meta Connect 2025 event. Prices and availability are subject to change.