At the annual developer conference, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the release of the new Quest 3S VR headset, priced at $300 with a free Batman video game. The company also introduced a new AI model, Llama 3.2, and AI improvements for its Ray-Ban smart glasses. Additionally, Zuckerberg demonstrated a fully functioning prototype of the company's first consumer-grade full holographic AR glasses, Orion, with advanced features such as hand and eye-tracking and a neural interface. Meta also announced a partnership with Be My Eyes, enabling visually impaired individuals to receive assistance through the smart glasses.
Meta Unveils Next-Generation VR Headsets, AI Advancements, and Holographic AR Glasses
Background
Meta (formerly Facebook) has been a trailblazer in the field of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) for several years. In 2014, the company acquired Oculus, a VR headset manufacturer, and subsequently launched a series of VR headsets under the Quest brand. Meta has also made significant investments in AI and computer vision, with the aim of creating immersive and interactive experiences for users.
Recent Announcements
At its annual developer conference, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a slew of new products and initiatives, including:
Top 5 FAQs
What is the difference between AR and VR?
What are the key features of the Quest 3S VR headset?
What is Llama 3.2 AI model used for?
When will the Orion AR glasses be available?
How does the partnership with Be My Eyes work?
Conclusion
Meta's recent announcements underscore its commitment to shaping the future of the metaverse. With new VR headsets, AI advancements, and groundbreaking AR glasses, the company is pushing the boundaries of technology and creating immersive experiences that have the potential to transform our lives.
Lava has released its latest smartphone, the Agni 5G, with a unique dual screen design and impressive features. Priced at Rs 20,999 for the base model, the phone offers a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 7300X chipset, and a secondary 1.74-inch display on the back. It also boasts a triple camera system, 5,000mAh battery, and 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security updates. With these specifications and a starting price of Rs 20,999, the Agni 5G is sure to attract the attention of Indian consumers looking for a local, high-performance smartphone.
Lava is set to release its new flagship smartphone, Lava Agni 3, today in India. Featuring a dual-display setup and an Action button similar to the iPhone, the device promises a premium experience at an affordable price. It also boasts powerful camera specs and other unique features like a glossy glass back and a front curved AMOLED panel. Watch the launch event live on Lava's YouTube channel to learn more and see the device in action.
In response to growing concerns about the spread of false information and political polarization on its platform, Facebook has announced new measures to address these issues. These measures include improving transparency around political ads, reducing the reach of divisive content, and encouraging more diverse perspectives in users' news feeds. With these changes, the social media giant aims to create a more responsible and inclusive environment for its global user base.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has officially banned a feature on social media platform X that has been used for "engagement farming" and causing him "eyebleeds." Musk, who purchased the platform in 2022, has been implementing changes over the past two years, including offering a blue verification tick for premium subscribers and hiding liked posts from public view. This recent move comes after Musk's warning in April that he would take action against accounts participating in engagement farming, referring to the practice of using manipulative techniques to boost interaction on posts.
The nonprofit organization First Things First partners with Southwest Human Development and other community partners to offer a free resource called the Birth to Five Helpline. This service provides support and advice for parents and caregivers regarding childcare for children up to five years old. Parents can contact the helpline to inquire about developmental milestones, behavior, feeding, sleep, and more. The helpline even offers virtual video consultation services and can be accessed through various platforms, making it easily accessible for Arizona families.
Earth's moon will soon have some company as a school bus-sized asteroid will temporarily orbit the planet, due to Earth's gravitational pull. This "mini-moon" will only stay in orbit for about two months before resuming its journey through space. This rare event will provide a unique opportunity for scientists to study and learn more about asteroids and their behavior.
Samsung has released a new budget-friendly phone, the Galaxy S24 FE, that offers some of the same features as the higher-priced Galaxy S24 series. The FE model, starting at $649.99, shares similar specs and design elements with the entry-level S24, but for a $210 difference in price. While the FE may not feel as luxurious or robust as the $1,299 Galaxy S24 Ultra, it still offers a solid and affordable option for those interested in Samsung's latest flagship phone.
Under Microsoft's new security architecture, the Recall feature will now only work on Copilot PCs with specific security measures, such as BitLocker and Device Encryption. Users will also need to opt-in to use the feature, giving them more control over their snapshots. Microsoft's executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer, Yusuf Mehdi, stated that these changes are important to secure the feature and put users in complete control. Partners of the company are looking forward to more AI-powered security in Microsoft's Defender for Endpoints and the extended detection and response space.
A new version of the Necro malware has been discovered to have affected over 11 million Android users through various methods, including malicious app downloads from Google Play and modded versions of popular apps like Spotify and WhatsApp. While Google has removed the malicious apps from the Play Store, third party app stores and modified versions of apps remain a primary method of distribution for the trojan. Once installed, Necro deploys multiple payloads that activate harmful plugins and run adware on devices.
After years of silence, X has finally released a new transparency report under the ownership of Elon Musk. The report reveals that X has suspended over four times as many accounts as Twitter ever did during the same time period, raising questions about Musk's stance on free speech. While Musk has reinstated some previously suspended accounts, he has newly suspended others, including a journalist's account for publishing sensitive information. This news calls into question Musk's branding of himself as a free-speech absolutist and highlights his willingness to comply with government demands for account takedowns.