Meta Unveils Orion: Advanced Augmented Reality Glasses for the Future
Source: Meta
MENLO PARK, Calif., September 25, 2024 (VSNewsNetwork.com) – Meta has introduced Orion, its first augmented reality (AR) glasses, described as the company’s most advanced AR glasses to date. The product, previously codenamed Project Nazare, combines the appearance of regular glasses with immersive augmented reality capabilities.
Orion is designed to offer a blend of physical and digital interaction through features such as holographic displays and integrated artificial intelligence (AI). According to Meta, select employees and external audiences will have access to the Orion prototype, allowing the development team to gather feedback and continue refining the product.
The glasses are intended to allow users to engage with digital experiences without the constraints of a smartphone screen. According to Meta, the AR glasses are equipped with advanced technology, including four cameras for hand tracking and Snap Spatial Engine, which enables interaction with virtual content. The glasses also include transparent lenses, allowing wearers to maintain eye contact and facial expressions while using the device.
In a press release, Meta stated that Orion provides the largest field of view in AR glasses to date, enabling users to view multitasking windows, life-size holograms, and more. The company also explained that the prototype represents significant progress in reducing the size of AR hardware while maintaining performance.
While Orion is not set to be released to consumers, the company notes that it is an important milestone in the development of future AR products. Meta plans to continue optimizing the AR glasses by improving the display quality, reducing the device's size, and scaling production to make it more affordable.
For more information, visit www.meta.com.
Source: Meta
Snap Inc. Unveils Fifth Generation of Spectacles and Introduces Snap OS
Photo Credit: Snap Inc.
LOS ANGELES, September 23, 2024 (VSNewsNetwork.com) – Snap Inc. has unveiled the fifth generation of its Spectacles, standalone AR glasses that run on the company’s newly developed Snap OS. This latest version of Spectacles is designed to enable users to experience augmented reality (AR) through lightweight, wearable technology, with a focus on integrating digital content into real-world environments.
The new Spectacles feature a lightweight design, weighing 226 grams, and are equipped with four cameras that support hand-tracking through Snap’s Spatial Engine. The glasses use proprietary technology, including Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) micro-projectors and advanced waveguide optics, to provide users with a 46-degree diagonal field of view and a 37 pixel-per-degree resolution. The glasses also automatically adjust their tint based on the lighting environment to ensure clarity in various conditions.
Snap’s new operating system, Snap OS, powers the Spectacles and enables users to interact with the device through hand gestures and voice commands. The system allows Lenses to be integrated into real-world environments with a motion-to-photon latency of just 13 milliseconds, making for more accurate AR experiences.
In a press release, Snap emphasized that the new Spectacles and Snap OS are designed for developers as much as for users. Through the Lens Studio 5.0 software and the new Spectacles Interaction Kit, developers can build AR Lenses without needing to create custom interaction systems. Additionally, Snap has partnered with OpenAI to bring AI models to the platform, allowing for more context-aware AR applications.
Snap has also announced partnerships with AR developers, including the LEGO Group, which is launching an interactive AR game called BRICKTACULAR. Other partners include Lucasfilm’s ILM Immersive, Niantic, and Wabisabi Games, who are developing new AR experiences for the platform.
Spectacles are available through Snap's Spectacles Developer Program, which costs $99 per month with a one-year commitment. The subscription includes access to the AR glasses and Snap’s support for developers looking to create projects on the platform.
For more information on the Spectacles Developer Program, visit www.spectacles.com/lens-studio.
Source: Snap inc.