Meta Unveils AR Glasses Prototype (theverge.com)
- Reference: 0175131917
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/09/25/181226/meta-unveils-ar-glasses-prototype
- Source link: https://www.theverge.com/24253908/meta-orion-ar-glasses-demo-mark-zuckerberg-interview
Despite technological advances, Meta has shelved Orion's commercial release, citing manufacturing complexities and costs reaching $10,000 per unit, primarily due to difficulties in producing the silicon carbide lenses. The company now aims to launch a refined, more affordable version in coming years, with executives hinting at a price comparable to high-end smartphones and laptops.
Zuckerberg views AR glasses as critical to Meta's future, potentially freeing the company from its reliance on smartphone platforms controlled by Apple and Google. The push into AR hardware comes as tech giants and startups intensify competition in the space, with Apple launching Vision Pro and Google partnering with Magic Leap and Samsung on headset development.
[1] https://www.theverge.com/24253908/meta-orion-ar-glasses-demo-mark-zuckerberg-interview
Oh, Ok Then (Score:2)
"Zuckerberg views AR glasses as critical to Meta's future, potentially freeing the company from its reliance on smartphone platforms"
Yeah, let's pin our company's future on betting on people buying droves of $10K specialty devices instead of the already-established common (pocket-carryable) $300 - $1K devices.
You know what? Let 'em. I hope that company disappears and is never heard from again.
Re: (Score:2)
Yes, this, too, will fail. An initial rush will find it as wanting as other AR releases. Tim Cook will snicker. A thousand more coders will be laid off.
Meta was about AR. Their "AI" progresses. Neither will make them much money, despite trying to grow cash cows.
Re: (Score:2)
I don't think so. These are a better form factor than all of the failed ones. Besides this isn't the model we will get. This is the prototype. I'm sure they'll make it work this time, and for real. I could be wrong of course, but I don't think I am this time.
Re: (Score:2)
This is about appeal, content variety and cost, applications, safety, and moving the herd to AR after so many failed attempts.
This, too, will fail.
Into the future, there are possible compelling applications and content streams, but it's a long time from 2024. Billions have been burned to a crisp in the quest for AR, a solution looking for a problem. It's niche, like watches and wearables and "health" products. There is no breakout app, no must-have, no compelling reason to buy, even at the lowered price and
Oh boy, no one here has a clue (Score:3)
Seriously, I read your comments in here, and I saw the presentation - obviously no one here did, so let me explain the tech for you:
They have done something vastly different from most AR glasses, they use refractive glasses that has small mirrors in it (cut into the glass, thousands of them) with miniature projectors that beams the light into the refractive surfaces (the small cut out mirrors).
You can imagine this as a sort of "reflex" structure, the same one you wear in the dark. It's almost a bit similar to DLR projectors, but each mirror-chip will project onto its own refractive surface recepient inside the glasses themselves (nothing will be projected into your eyes, don't worry!).
This will def. change the way we use AR forever, it's actually a clever design.
Re: (Score:2)
Nope.
It won't change a thing if production costs can't be reduced from $10k a unit.
Give it 10 years and maybe, but by then I'm sure we'll have a more creative solution that works better.
This feels a bit brute force to me.
cyborg future (Score:2)
Are you a wannabe cyborg? Then we've got just the thing for you, get ready for all of the strange reactions from others that you can handle.
Oh brother (Score:2)
When are these tech bro asshats going to give up on AR? The amount of money wasted on this shit is criminal.
Re: (Score:2)
It's their money and they can do what they want with it. Just like you can not spend your money on this.
AR's the way (Score:3)
The lure of augmented senses is strong. The problem is privacy, because you can't do much augmenting without environmental sensors (primarily cameras, but also microphones and maybe other things too). Those sensors are useless without a database and a processor. And inevitably there will be long term storage.
So I really, really want glasses that remind me of who I just ran into might be, and jog my memory about things I might want to discuss with them. On the other hand, I want to be the only one with such technology, because there's nobody else I trust with it.
Re: (Score:2)
I'd be happy with a much simpler device. A monochrome display, generated by my phone, and long battery life. No cameras, no accelerometers, no orientation sensors.
Just show me some occasional info in my eyeline, when navigating or following instructions. Maybe some weather alert notifications, or just the name of who is calling/messaging so I can decide if I want to ignore them.
It's the same deal as smart watches. I much prefer a much simpler fitness band with a two week battery life and just the key featur
Re: (Score:2)
A HUD, not AR, then.
Yes, that has it's place. Keeping a decent colour display and making it context-aware would be better, though - imagine when you're within Bluetooth range of your car, you get your instrument cluster floating in front of your eyes. When at home, your security system offers you a video feed when there's motion at your front door.
I'd probably want to limit email, SMS and other notifications, though. That'll drive you nuts with distraction after a while.
Re: (Score:2)
I think I'd want to limit it to stuff that I need to do hands free, and which is unobtrusive. For the car I'd worry about issues with having to refocus my eyes. Hud projected on the windscreen, or just a decent speedo would be fine. It's amazing how most cars have crap speedos, in an age where they can be pretty much anything thanks to digital instrument clusters.
10 grand? (Score:2)
I'll just buy three Apple Vision Pro instead.
rage i has it (Score:2)
"Zuckerberg imagines that people will want to use AR glasses like Orion for two primary purposes:"
- Making people's legs disappear. He's terrified of legs.
- Replacing entire people with goofy cartoonish avatars.
That way you won't know if you're interacting with a human or with AI, because both look stupid.
“I had thought that the hologram part of this was going to be possible before AI,” he tells me. “It’s an interesting twist of fate that the AI part is actually possible before the h
No, that's NOT oregano! (Score:2)
And what the hell kind of mushrooms are those?!
beam graphics directly into the wearer's eyes (Score:4, Insightful)
that sounds ominous.
Re: (Score:2)
You beat me to this....THAT part right there sounded a bit scary.
I'd certainly NOT be the first one in line to test this product out....my eyes are bad enough due to nature, haha.
Re: (Score:2)
You won't be the first to try it out. But technically a computer screen is doing the same thing, but you have to put yourself into the beam path to see it. These glasses don't have that restriction.
Re: (Score:3)
[1]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0... [imdb.com]
[1] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708798/mediaviewer/rm375605248/
Re: (Score:3)
About to say this myself. Unsorry, but I would rather have a 'buffer' in the form of a reflective pane than have something "beamed directly into my eyes". If something goes wrong, I can't just sue to get my eyes back.
Re: beam graphics directly into the wearer's eyes (Score:2)
How does a reflective pane help? If it's not reflective enough to let the device harm you if it would have directly then it's not reflective enough to function either.
Re: (Score:2)
So how did the various HUD displays that used reflection work all these years?
Re: (Score:2)
with light sources that wouldn't be strong enough to harm you directly
Re: (Score:2)
There have been displays shooting lasers into eyeballs for decades. Over 20 years ago, there was a commercial, text-only display that painted the user's retina with a low-power red laser. I used one at a tradeshow. They had a full-color prototype, but it required connection to external hardware keeping it from being portable.
Re: (Score:1)
Sing it!
"Blinded by the light
Revved up by the douche, another Zuck-up in the night...
Re: (Score:2)
> that sounds ominous.
President Skroob: I don't know about this beaming stuff? Is it safe?
Commanderette Zircon: Oh yes, sir. Snotty beamed me twice last night. It was wonderful.