Key facts
- Meta unveiled new virtual reality glasses at its annual Meta Connect event.
- The new VR glasses weigh 100 grams and cost $1,300.
- Meta also introduced Charm, a palm-sized device for its AI assistant, Muse.
- Charm is expected to ship by the holidays.
- Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg aims for VR glasses to become the next major wearable category.
Meta is pushing its vision for virtual reality with the unveiling of new VR glasses and an AI assistant device at its annual Meta Connect conference. The company aims to position these products as alternatives to smartphones, integrating AI deeply into its ecosystem.
The new Meta VR Glasses, weighing 100 grams and priced at $1,300, are significantly lighter and cheaper than Apple's Vision Pro, which weighs 600 grams and costs $3,700. While Peter Kafka noted the immediate difference in feel compared to the Vision Pro, he also struggled to identify regular use cases for the glasses, a challenge that has also faced Apple's offering.
Alongside the VR hardware, Meta also updated its AI initiatives with Muse, a personal AI agent, and Charm, a palm-sized device for interacting with Muse. This move is part of a broader tech industry trend where companies are seeking to create their own ecosystems and reduce reliance on dominant platforms like Apple's iPhone.