Orion is considered a prototype that could pave the way for what might eventually replace smartphones.
At Meta Connect 2024, Meta unveiled Orion, its most advanced augmented reality glasses to date. Unlike previous smart glasses, Orion is designed to easily blend virtual elements with the real world, allowing users to interact with digital content without feeling disconnected from their physical surroundings.
The glasses feature a holographic display that allows users to engage with both 2D and 3D content directly within their environment. This effectively merges physical and digital spaces, enabling tasks like multitasking with virtual screens or interacting with life-sized holograms. A key innovation is the glasses' AI integration, offering context-aware assistance. For example, Orion can suggest recipes based on what’s in the user’s refrigerator or facilitate hands-free video calls without the need for a phone.
Though still in its prototype stage, Meta has made Orion available to select employees and testers in an effort to gather feedback and improve the product before a public release. While the glasses are packed with advanced technology, they currently have a somewhat clunky and bulky appearance, making them less suitable for everyday wear. Meta is focused on addressing this by reducing the size and weight of the hardware, alongside refining the AR display quality. They aim to miniaturize the components and streamline the design to create a more polished, comfortable product that could be worn all day. Their goal is to eventually scale production and make Orion accessible to a wider audience, but significant improvements are still needed before that happens.
The wait for a consumer version will be lengthy. Meta has made it clear that despite the technological advances Orion represents, it remains a work in progress. The immediate focus is on perfecting the design and functionality, meaning it could still be several years before the glasses are available to the public.