# Meta Connect 2024: Anticipations in VR, AR, Gaming, and AI
Meta Connect 2024 is poised to be a crucial event for the tech titan, with high hopes for groundbreaking hardware, software, and AI developments. Set for September 25, 2024, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will take the spotlight to reveal the latest strides in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), gaming, and artificial intelligence (AI). Here’s an overview of what we can look forward to at this year’s gathering.
## 1. **Introducing the Meta Quest 3s VR Headset**
One of the most eagerly awaited reveals is the **Meta Quest 3s**, a cost-effective VR headset. Priced around $299, the Quest 3s will serve as a more budget-friendly option compared to the **Meta Quest 3**, which launched at $499. Even with its lower cost, the Quest 3s is anticipated to utilize the same high-performance processor found in the Quest 3, ensuring compatibility with Quest 3-exclusive titles such as *Batman Arkham Shadow* and *Alien Rogue Incursion*.
To maintain a lower price point, however, Meta is expected to make certain concessions. The Quest 3s will likely feature Fresnel lenses—larger and less crisp than the pancake lenses used in the Quest 3—and will not include a 3.5mm headphone jack. Users will instead need to depend on integrated speakers or wireless earbuds like the **PrismXR Vega T1**. Despite these limitations, the Quest 3s will still provide color passthrough capabilities for mixed reality experiences and sophisticated haptic feedback in its controllers.
## 2. **New Meta Horizon Headsets from External Partners**
Meta is also anticipated to present new VR headsets from external manufacturers such as ASUS ROG, Lenovo, and Microsoft Xbox. These headsets will operate on **Meta Horizon OS**, the platform that powers Meta’s Quest devices. This strategy reflects how Android functions in the smartphone market, with Meta licensing its software to other companies while still advancing its own hardware.
The advent of third-party headsets could greatly enrich the VR landscape, offering increased diversity in design, functionality, and pricing. Meta’s own Quest line may evolve into the “Pixel of VR,” acting as a benchmark for other creators.
## 3. **Cutting-Edge AR Glasses**
Meta has invested billions in the evolution of AR glasses, and we may finally witness the results of that investment at Meta Connect 2024. The company has been pursuing several AR initiatives, including **Project Hypernova** and **Project Orion**, and it’s likely that one of these projects will be revealed.
According to Zuckerberg, Meta’s AR glasses aspire to be the “Holy Grail” of technology, seamlessly combining the digital with the physical realm. These glasses will be equipped with built-in displays capable of overlaying digital assets onto the physical world, reminiscent of applications like Google Maps Live View or Pokémon Go, while adding the convenience of being worn.
## 4. **Major Game Revelations for Meta Quest**
Meta’s gaming division has maintained a relatively low profile since the launch of *Asgard’s Wrath 2* in 2023, but that may change at Meta Connect 2024. Meta owns various game studios, including Armature Studio (*Resident Evil 4 VR*), Beat Games (*Beat Saber*), and Camouflaj (*Iron Man VR* and *Batman Arkham Shadow*). While *Batman Arkham Shadow* has already been confirmed for the Quest 3, there’s hope for new announcements from these studios.
The gaming strategy is vital to the success of Meta’s VR platform, and as competitors like Sony’s PlayStation VR2 gain momentum, Meta must provide appealing first-party content to keep its user base engaged.
## 5. **AI Integration Across the Board**
AI has been a prominent theme throughout 2024, and Meta is no different. The company has begun incorporating its **Meta AI** platform into various products, including the Quest headsets and **Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses**. At Meta Connect 2024, we anticipate discussions around how AI will enhance user engagement across Meta’s ecosystem, from VR and AR to social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Meta’s AI efforts could unify different operating systems, simplifying interactions for users across Meta’s products, regardless of whether they are on iOS, Android, or Windows.
## 6. **Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses 2.0**
The previous year’s **Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses** gained popularity, featuring hands-free video recording, live streaming, and integrated speakers. At Meta Connect 2024, we expect a revamped version of these smart glasses, potentially boasting enhanced AR capabilities and improved performance.
