This week, and just a month before Meta Connect 2024, Mark Zuckerberg’s company unveiled new augmented reality features for its flagship messaging service WhatsApp.
According to reports, an upcoming update to WhatsApp will introduce AR features that will improve the usability of immersive content in low-light conditions. In addition, WhatsApp will add features to support AR skin retouching capabilities. The AR integration is currently being tested before rolling out to Android and iOS devices.
Admittedly, the features are still very basic at the moment. However, the date is just before Meta Connect 2024, where the company is expected to present new updates to its AR feature portfolio, which includes various devices and applications.
Of particular interest here is Meta’s ambitions in the smart glasses space. Audiences expects Meta to share more details on its Reality Labs-led research and development for next-generation AR smart glasses. This means Meta could update AR integration into its broader services for a future product.
More interesting, however, is the recent success of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses range. Currently, Meta is seeing moderate success in launching the device as a social media-based product, allowing users to share their views via the device’s cameras, engage with others via Meta applications, and use basic AR interactions.
Since the device’s launch earlier this year, Meta has reported an increasing shipment rate, with the product exceeding sales expectations. This led to Meta considering buying a five percent stake in Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica in a deal valued at $4.73 billion, based on an overall valuation of the company of over $94 billion.
At this year’s SIGGRAPH, Zuckerberg expressed optimism about the future of AR smart glasses. If Meta continues down this path, the company will likely be confident that its applications are ready. In particular, the upcoming WhatsApp’s low-light updates will help with smartphone camera detection and could contribute to a better understanding of smart glasses detection – especially since Meta produces its smart glasses for outdoor use.
The Whatsapp update isn’t directly related to Meta’s ambitions for smart glasses, but the AR integration could show how Meta is building an XR software ecosystem for its products outside of headsets.
Meta addresses rumors that Quest Pro 2 will be canceled
Over the weekend, reports surfaced that Meta is canceling a prototype for an upcoming successor to the Meta Quest Pro. Speculation was that the upcoming prototype model, called “La Jolla,” would be an alternative to the Apple Vision Pro with similar display technology. However, Meta has decided to cancel La Jolla due to the high cost of competing OLED display technology.
Despite these reports, Meta’s hope is not lost. Andrew Bosworth, chief technology officer of Metarecently gave insight into the situation and status of research and development of Meta’s XR device.
In a social media post, Bosworth reassured fans of the Quest portfolio that they did not need to worry about the canceled prototype. He mentioned:
Just your regularly scheduled public announcement: We develop lots of prototypes all the time. But we don’t put all of them into production. Some we go ahead with, some we abandon. Decisions like this are made all the time, and stories based on talk about a single decision will never tell the true picture.
Meta’s XR R&D teams, through its Reality Labs division, are exploring new opportunities to develop AR/VR/MR hardware and software for various use cases. However, the Reality Labs division has been loss-making for years. In its Q2 report, Meta noted that it will continue to see rising operating losses due to the research and development cycles for XR products.
This shows that Zuckerberg is investing heavily in the development of future technologies through Reality Labs and gives Meta a head start on the XR future envisioned by Zuckerberg.
The cancellation of the La Jolla event is unlikely to have a significant impact on Meta’s upcoming Connect 2024 event and its XR updates. Meta is expected to unveil the Meta Quest 3s, a cheaper MR headset, and a pair of AR smart glasses.
Meta Connect 2024: What to expect
Meta Connect will take place on September 25 and 26, 2024. The event will showcase Meta’s latest digital solutions from its social media and XR portfolio. In the past, Connect has provided deep insights into the company’s XR roadmap.
Meta has not yet announced any details about the event, other than that there will be several sessions planned, technologies featured, and speakers such as Mark Zuckerberg. Although the date will be announced soon, Meta has not yet announced any details about the event or its announcements.
In the months leading up to the event, messages from Meta reveal what Zuckerberg might discuss during the event.
