Meta unveils 'AI Glasses' Orion... "Key is lowering unit cost" [AK Radio]

Meta (formerly Facebook) recently unveiled its new mixed reality (MR) glasses, 'Orion,' directly challenging Apple's Vision Pro. At the 'Connect' event, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased this prototype, demonstrating technology far beyond existing VR headsets.

Orion looks like regular sunglasses but is an advanced device equipped with powerful AI capabilities and AR technology. Weighing only 99g, it offers excellent comfort, and its design is sophisticated, using premium materials. Notably, Meta collaborated with the famous sunglasses brand Ray-Ban to enhance its value as a fashion item.

Functionally, it is revolutionary. The glasses project holographic images onto the lenses, enabling movie viewing and video calls, and users can interact with an AI assistant to obtain information. Additionally, the device can be controlled intuitively using only the user's gaze and hand gestures.

Meta has integrated its self-developed 'AI Assistant' into Orion. This provides instant information about objects or food the user is looking at and even guides cooking recipes. This feature is absent in Apple's Vision Pro, marking Meta's lead in AI technology.

The industry views Orion as overcoming the limitations of existing VR and AR devices. Unlike Google Glass or early VR headsets, which were rejected by consumers due to practicality and design issues, Orion is close to a level that can be used comfortably in daily life.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

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However, challenges remain. The current production cost is $10,000 (about 13 million KRW), so the price must be significantly reduced for mass adoption. Meta aims to lower the price to the range of 1 to 2 million KRW, comparable to a high-end laptop.

Additionally, lens customization services for eyeglass wearers are necessary. Just as Apple addressed this issue with Vision Pro, Meta is expected to offer vision correction features.

Meanwhile, Meta's announcement has caused a significant stir in Silicon Valley, particularly delivering a considerable shock to Apple. With Apple's Vision Pro sales underperforming expectations, Meta's challenge is likely to prompt changes in Apple's XR (extended reality) strategy.

Investor reactions have also been enthusiastic. Meta's stock price has reached an all-time high and continues to rise following the Orion reveal. This demonstrates Meta's ongoing growth despite concerns about an AI winter.

Meta's transformation is expected to continue. From a social media company to an AI company, and now expanding into hardware, this evolution carries important implications for domestic IT companies as well.

Ultimately, Orion's success depends on consumer choice. The key questions are when Meta will release the actual product and how attractively it can entice consumers with price and features. The competition between Meta and Apple for dominance in the XR market has just begun.

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