Meta Connect 2023: Everything Revealed in 10 Minutes

CNET
27 Sept 202309:57

TLDRMeta Connect 2023 showcased the new Quest 3 headset, blending physical and digital worlds with advanced hand tracking and precision controllers. The standalone device offers a canvas for digital objects and understands space for interactive play and workouts. With 10 times more pixels than Quest 2, it provides detailed physical mapping. Xbox cloud gaming is set to arrive in December, and 'augments' will offer interactive, persistent digital objects. The headset, 40% thinner with improved optics, is priced at $499 and ships on August 10th. Meta is also developing AI assistants for various tasks across its platforms, with plans to integrate them into the metaverse as avatars. Additionally, the next generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses is announced, featuring built-in meta AI for hands-free interaction, live streaming, and more, launching on October 17th at $299.

Takeaways

  • 🎉 Introduction of Quest 3, a mainstream mixed reality headset that blends physical and digital worlds.
  • 🚀 Most powerful headset ever shipped by Meta, with significant improvements in hand tracking and precision controllers for gaming and work.
  • 🌐 Completely standalone with no wires or battery packs, ensuring an uninterrupted sense of presence.
  • 🖼️ Ability to bring digital objects into the physical world, understanding space for activities like playing with Lego puzzles or creating on any flat surface.
  • 🎮 Interactive gaming experiences enhanced by higher pixel density and automatic space mapping using color and depth sensors.
  • 🌟 Xbox cloud gaming integration coming to Quest in December, with the introduction of 'augments' - persistent digital objects for interaction.
  • 💡 Next generation processor, better displays, and optics make Quest 3 40% thinner and more comfortable, with improved precision controllers and hand tracking.
  • 🛠️ Designed and optimized hardware and software stack to deliver amazing mixed reality and the world's best immersive content library.
  • 📅 Shipping on August 10th, available for pre-order at $499.
  • 🤖 Development of AI companions (meta AI) accessible through messaging apps, Quest 3, and eventually as embodied avatars in the metaverse.
  • 👓 Introduction of next-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, integrated with AI for hands-free interaction, launching on October 17th at $299.

Q & A

  • What is the main feature of the Quest 3 headset introduced at Meta Connect 2023?

    -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, with advanced hand tracking and precision controllers for gaming 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-resolution display that shows the physical space around the user, allowing them to interact with digital objects in their actual surroundings without breaking the immersion.

  • What are the two dedicated sensors in Quest 3 that help in mapping the user's space?

    -Quest 3 uses two dedicated color camera sensors and a depth sensor to map the user's space, enabling precise interactions between digital and physical objects.

  • When is Xbox Cloud Gaming expected to be available on Quest?

    -Xbox Cloud Gaming is expected to be available on Quest in December of the year the conference took place.

  • What is the 'augments' feature that will be launched by Meta the following year after the conference?

    -Augments are persistent, spatially anchored digital objects that users can interact with, such as frames on the wall with photos and videos from Facebook and Instagram, or digital portals next to workout gear for easy access to workouts.

  • How has the design of the Quest 3 headset been improved compared to its predecessor?

    -The Quest 3 headset is 40 percent thinner, more comfortable, and features a next-generation processor, better displays, and optics, along with improved hand tracking and new precision controllers.

  • What is the role of Meta AI in the ecosystem of products introduced at the event?

    -Meta AI serves as a basic assistant that users can interact with across various messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram Direct. It can answer basic questions, provide assistance with tasks, and will eventually be embodied as avatars in the metaverse.

  • What is AI Studio, and how does it contribute to the development of AI within the Meta platform?

    -AI Studio is a platform for building AI assistants. Meta is starting by opening up the API for integration into their messaging apps, allowing developers to create and integrate AI assistants into their products.

  • What new feature is introduced with the next generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses?

    -The next generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are built in with Meta AI, allowing users to interact with the AI hands-free, get information, and live stream to friends and followers directly from their glasses.

  • When are the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses expected to be released, and at what price point?

    -The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are expected to be released on October 17th, with a starting price of $299.

  • How does the introduction of Quest 3 and other AI-driven products aim to shape the future of Meta's platform?

    -The introduction of Quest 3 and AI-driven products like Meta AI assistants and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses aims to create a more immersive and interactive experience within the Meta Universe, allowing users to seamlessly blend digital interactions with their daily lives and enhancing social and gaming experiences.

Outlines

00:00

🎮 Introducing Quest 3: The Ultimate Mixed Reality Headset

The first paragraph introduces the Quest 3, a groundbreaking mixed reality headset that marks a significant advancement in blending the physical and digital worlds. It is the most powerful headset ever shipped, featuring improved 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 incorporate digital objects into their environment. The headset understands space, enabling activities like solving Lego puzzles or building creations on any flat surface. It also allows for multiplayer gaming experiences, both in-person and remotely, and improves workout experiences by projecting targets into the user's physical space. The Quest 3 boasts a significant upgrade in displaying physical space with 10 times more pixels than its predecessor, the Quest 2. It maps spaces using color cameras and a depth sensor, allowing for interactions like throwing a digital ball that bounces off physical walls. Additionally, the headset enables users to place virtual screens anywhere in their physical space. The integration of Xbox cloud gaming and the introduction of 'augments'—persistent digital objects that users can interact with—are also highlighted. The headset is equipped with a next-generation processor, better displays and optics, and is 40% thinner for comfort. The paragraph concludes with the announcement of the shipping date and price for the Quest 3.

05:02

🤖 Meta AI and the Future of Interactive Assistants

The second paragraph delves into the future of interactive AI with the introduction of Meta AI, a basic assistant that can be messaged across various platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram Direct. The paragraph showcases different AI personalities designed to assist in various scenarios. 'Max the sous chef' helps with recipe ideas and balancing flavors, 'Lily' the personal editor AI assists with brainstorming and editing written content, and 'Lorena' aids in planning road trips by suggesting barbecue spots or national parks. The concept of embedding AI into role-playing games is also introduced, with a playful example featuring Snoop Dogg. The paragraph emphasizes the company's commitment to enabling users to build their own AI through 'AI Studio,' which will open up APIs for integration into messaging apps and a 'Sandbox' for non-coders to train AI. The ambition to integrate these AI into the metaverse as embodied avatars and NPCs in different games and experiences is also highlighted. The paragraph concludes with the introduction of the next generation of Ray-Ban meta smart glasses, which are equipped with state-of-the-art AI that can be interacted with hands-free, allowing users to live stream and get information on the go. The smart glasses are announced with a release date and price.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Meta Connect 2023

Meta Connect 2023 is the title of the event where the announcement is made. It signifies a conference or gathering organized by Meta, likely focusing on technology and innovations within their ecosystem. The event is a platform for revealing new products and services, as indicated by the presentation of the Quest 3 headset and other AI-driven features.

💡Quest 3

Quest 3 is referred to as the first mainstream mixed reality headset developed by Meta. It represents a significant leap in technology by blending the physical and digital worlds, allowing users to interact with digital objects in their physical space. The headset is noted for its powerful capabilities, hand tracking, precision controllers, and standalone nature, which means it doesn't require external wires or battery packs.

💡Mixed Reality

Mixed reality is a technology that merges elements of the real world with those of the virtual world, creating an environment where physical and digital objects coexist and interact. In the context of the video, mixed reality is a key feature of the Quest 3 headset, which uses advanced sensors to integrate digital content into the user's actual surroundings, facilitating immersive experiences.

💡Hand Tracking

Hand tracking is a technology that allows devices like the Quest 3 to recognize and follow the movements of the user's hands, eliminating the need for controllers and enabling more natural interaction with the digital environment. It is a key feature of the headset, enhancing the user's control and immersion in the mixed reality experience.

💡Precision Controllers

Precision controllers are advanced input devices designed for the Quest 3 headset, offering users a more accurate and responsive way to interact with digital content in mixed reality. These controllers are particularly useful for activities requiring finer control, such as gaming or work-related tasks.

💡Standalone

The term 'standalone' in the context of the Quest 3 headset refers to its ability to function without being tethered to a computer or requiring an external power source. This feature ensures that users can enjoy a seamless and unrestricted experience, without the hindrance of wires or the need to carry a battery pack.

💡X CL Xbox Cloud Gaming

X CL Xbox Cloud Gaming is a service that enables users to play Xbox games on various devices without the need for a console, by streaming the games over the internet. In the video, it is announced that this service will be coming to the Quest headset in December, expanding the range of gaming experiences available to users within the mixed reality platform.

💡Augments

Augments, as described in the script, are persistent, spatially anchored digital objects that users can interact with in the real world. These objects can be photos, videos, or other digital elements from platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and they can be placed in the user's physical environment to create an enhanced, interactive experience.

💡AI Studio

AI Studio is a platform being developed by Meta that enables users to build and train their own AI systems, known as AIs. This tool is designed to be accessible, allowing even those without coding expertise to create AIs for various purposes, and it will be integrated with Meta's messaging apps to start, with plans to expand its capabilities and applications in the future.

💡Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses

Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are a new generation of smart eyewear developed by Meta in collaboration with Ray-Ban. These smart glasses are designed to allow users to stay connected and capture their surroundings without the need to use a phone. They feature built-in AI, improved cameras and audio, and a variety of styles for user comfort and personal expression.

💡Meta AI

Meta AI refers to the artificial intelligence systems developed by Meta that are designed to assist users in various tasks and interactions. These AIs can be personalized and are integrated into messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger, as well as the Quest 3 headset, to provide users with assistance in areas such as cooking, writing, travel planning, and gaming.

Highlights

Quest 3 is introduced as the first mainstream mixed reality headset.

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

Hand tracking has improved, and new Precision controllers have been designed for added precision in games and work.

Quest 3 is completely standalone with no wires or battery packs, maintaining a strong sense of presence.

The headset understands your space, allowing you to interact with digital objects in your physical surroundings.

Quest 3 shows your physical space with 10 times more pixels than Quest 2, enhancing the mixed reality experience.

It automatically maps the space with dedicated color cameras and a depth sensor, enabling interactions like throwing a digital ball.

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

Augments are persistent, spatially anchored digital objects that you can interact with, like frames on your wall.

Quest 3 is 40% thinner, more comfortable, and features a next-generation processor, better displays, and optics.

The headset is designed and optimized to deliver amazing mixed reality and the world's best immersive content library.

Quest 3 is set to ship on August 10th and is available for pre-order at $499.

Meta is building a platform for creating AI that can help with tasks and entertainment across the Meta Universe of products.

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

Meta AI is a basic assistant available in messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger, as well as in Quest 3.

AI personalities like Max the sous chef and Lily the personal editor help with specific tasks like recipe planning and writing.

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 release expected early next year.

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

These 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 hands-free interaction.

Live streaming from the glasses is possible, and they will be launched on October 17th, starting at $299.