In September, Meta showcased an initial prototype of its Orion AR glasses. Although they are still a long way from being a market-ready product, Meta believes that they can successfully bring this concept to fruition.
Indeed, Meta’s head of wearables envisions that, over time, Orion could become the AirPods of augmented reality …
Orion Augmented Reality Glasses
Meta has boldly described these prototype glasses as having “the appearance and comfort of traditional spectacles,” though I find myself partially disagreeing with that characterization.
Perhaps that’s true for someone with limited vision in heavy fog at night, but for most of us, they resemble what they are: An early-stage prototype that brings us closer to what could be possible.
Let me be clear. I consider what Meta has demonstrated to be an impressive milestone. It’s remarkable to incorporate this level of AR technology into a design that is even somewhat glasses-like. It’s significantly more like traditional glasses compared to the device introduced by Xiaomi last year. Furthermore, the display bears a much closer resemblance to the Vision Pro compared to the concept shown by Oppo.
However, the divide between Meta’s offering and what Apple would release as a consumer-ready product is substantial. And let’s not overlook the issue of a $10,000 manufacturing cost.
Meta and Apple are pursuing distinctly different paths in addressing the same challenge.
Both aim to create a genuinely glasses-like product that displays realistic AR content, but Meta is openly showcasing its progress, while Apple’s prototypes are reportedly kept under wraps.
Shared Philosophy with Apple
Despite their differences, they share a common philosophy: technology should enrich your interaction with the real world rather than replace it.
This aligns with Apple CEO Tim Cook’s assertion that AR is far more intriguing than VR, and Meta also positions the Orion project as a device intended for occasional use, rather than continuous wear.
Joshua To from Meta mentioned this in a discussion with FastCo.
To sees Orion not as a means to immerse oneself in a virtual realm but as a discreet computer that users can easily put on and take off. “A bit like how you think about AirPods,” he explains.
In essence, you wear your AirPods when you wish to retreat from reality to enjoy music, but you remove them to engage with those around you.
A Surprisingly Apple-like Stance on Privacy
As someone who experiences mild facial aphasia, which affects my ability to recognize faces, the potential for AR glasses to identify individuals has always intrigued me. Meta indicates that it aims to implement this feature, but with a surprisingly considerate approach to privacy.
Meta has created internal prototypes capable of tagging names for people encountered using Orion. As To describes, “it’s incredible” to recognize everyone in a room. He mentions a scenario where you attend a small conference and opt in, similar to sharing your contact details on your phone, making your name visible to others. If you choose not to opt in, Orion keeps you anonymous.
“We aim to thoughtfully incorporate name tags in a way that respects privacy, and that’s something we’re very keen on pursuing,” states To.
The complete article offers an engaging perspective.
Image: Meta
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