Meta's Orion AR glasses were unveiled during the Meta Connect 2024 event, showcasing advanced features like Micro LED projectors and a 70-degree field of view. However, they are currently in the prototype stage and not ready for consumer release. Initially, there was a plan for a 2024 launch, but this was shelved due to high production costs, estimated at around $10,000 per unit[2][3].
Expected Release Timeline
- Current Status: Orion is described as an "internal developer kit" aimed at refining software and hardware before a consumer version is developed[4][6].- Projected Launch: While no official release date has been set, Meta's CTO Andrew Bosworth indicated that a consumer version could be expected "within a few years," likely around 2027 based on previous internal roadmaps[1][5]. Some sources speculate that a more affordable version could emerge as early as 2025[6].
Pricing Insights
- The glasses are anticipated to be priced comparably to modern smartphones and laptops, likely exceeding $700. Bosworth mentioned that they won't be as inexpensive as earlier Meta products like the Quest series[1][4].In summary, while the Orion AR glasses represent a significant leap in augmented reality technology, consumers will have to wait several years for a viable product to hit the market.
Citations:[1] https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/meta-s-orion-ar-glasses-could-launch-sooner-than-we-thought-but-they-might-cost-as-much-as-a-smartphone
[2] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/mark-zuckerberg-reveals-10000-orion-ar-glasses-prototype-at-meta-connect/articleshow/113688259.cms
[3] https://www.vice.com/en/article/meta-orion-ar-glasses-reveal/
[4] https://www.roadtovr.com/meta-orion-ar-glasses-release-date-price/
[5] https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/everything-announced-at-meta-connect-2024-202733568.html
[6] https://www.phonearena.com/ar-vr/news/meta-orion-ar-glasses-prototype-official_id163014
[7] https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/smart-glasses/meta-orion-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-ar-holographic-glasses
[8] https://about.fb.com/news/2024/09/introducing-orion-our-first-true-augmented-reality-glasses/