what you need to know
- Meta is expected to show off its “Orion” prototype of its augmented reality glasses at Connect 2024.
- The glasses have been in development for nearly a decade, but public release could still be years away.
- Nonetheless, Meta may demonstrate an AR glasses prototype at Connect 2024, a developer conference usually held in October.
Meta may be looking to capitalize on the recent craze surrounding mixed reality wearables. The company is expected to launch and demonstrate its first pair of true augmented reality (AR) glasses, called “Orion,” at the Connect 2024 conference later this year. Despite internal ambitions to show off Orion in the fall, consumer AR glasses may still be years away from a public release.
According to Business Insider, the company plans to showcase an AR glasses at Connect 2024. The publication spoke to two people familiar with the matter, whose identities have reportedly been confirmed. The report adds that there will be “internal pressure to ensure a high level of performance” when AR glasses debut at Connect 2024 (via RoadToVR).
The Orion glasses prototype has been in development for nine years and may not be released until 2027 at the earliest. However, Meta isn’t shy about revealing the details of its mixed reality plans. Project Aria, AR glasses that have been tested in real-world environments since 2020, are a good example. Testing conducted as part of the Aria project may help Meta’s other projects, such as Orion glasses.
Connect 2024, usually held in October, makes sense as a venue to showcase the Orion concept. This is a developer conference that Meta often uses to demonstrate its new technologies and products. In fact, the company announced its latest virtual reality headset, the Meta Quest 3, at last year’s Connect event.
Although a large number of virtual reality headsets and smart glasses have been released in recent years, there are very few true AR products. In addition to the Quest 3, Meta’s wearable product portfolio also includes the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. The company’s Project Orion will merge the two products, with the computing power of a pair of glasses.
If this report is accurate, we’ll learn more about Meta’s plans for AR glasses at Connect 2024 later this year.