Meta is set to host its annual Connect Developers Conference, where it will showcase a range of anticipated and potentially surprising new VR and AR hardware. The event will likely also highlight Meta AI, featuring the company's latest large language model, Llama, and image generator integrated into applications like WhatsApp.
As Meta moves away from developing custom tools for AR filters, we may see an entirely new suite of developer tools designed to leverage generative AI for creating experiences. These innovations are likely to be integrated into Meta's next major advancement in the concept of the Metaverse (and its eponymous brand), including significant updates to Horizon Worlds.
However, the most anticipated products at the conference include the successor to the Meta Quest 3 and updates to Meta and Ray-Ban smart glasses. We hope to see the rumored 'Orion' AR glasses, though specific details will be unveiled during the Connect keynote.
Date and Time for Meta Connect 2024
Meta's Connect Developers Conference for this year will commence on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and conclude on the following day, Thursday, September 26. The event will kick off with a keynote address by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (10:00 AM Pacific Time), followed by the developers' keynote at 2:00 PM Eastern Time (11:00 AM Pacific Time). Meta has released the full schedule on the Connect website.
How to Watch Meta Connect 2024
The keynote speeches at Meta Connect will be streamed live on the official Meta Connect website. If you're a Quest headset user, you can also watch on Horizon Worlds. After the keynotes conclude, you can join live developer sessions on Facebook to delve deeper into AI and mixed reality technologies.
What to Expect from Meta Connect 2024
One of the most exciting aspects of Meta lies in its Quest 2 and Quest 3, which have positioned it closest to the mainstream VR headset market. However, the Quest 3's starting price is relatively high—up to $500 compared to the current Quest 2 priced at $200—and the AR video pass-through quality isn't very clear. According to leaked information, we can now anticipate a more affordable version, the Quest '3S,' which may be priced as low as $299.99.
Meta is also developing other new VR headsets, including the upcoming Quest 4 scheduled for release in 2026, and a professional-grade spatial computing product internally named 'La Jolla,' planned for launch in 2027. However, recent reports suggest that the latter project might have been shelved, especially as Apple's Vision Pro, priced at $3,500, struggles to attract users. While we may not see these specific models at the Connect conference, other models under development might be showcased.
Similarly, we look forward to updates on the futuristic Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses at the Connect conference. The current glasses have a sleek and lightweight design, but they still require iterative updates even without additional AR features. These glasses respond to your commands via Meta AI, so we can anticipate an upcoming new chatbot assistant experience.
Meta is also internally developing a new hybrid reality eyewear called 'Orion,' and we can at least look forward to getting a glimpse of it. Recently, Snap allowed us to try their new AR Spectacles, but these are limited to developers, and a former Snap engineer described the project as 'clearly subpar.' Hopefully, the Orion we see will be more impressive.
Meta's VR strategy also generates expectations for new software and experiences, including the future of Quest games. Currently, Meta's moves in the gaming sector have raised questions: it has shut down the Ready at Dawn studio, which developed immersive 3D games like Echo VR, while casual games like Wordle continue to emerge. Meanwhile, Meta recently launched an application that allows users to play console games on their headsets via HDMI.
