At Meta’s recent Connect event, CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stage to unveil the next frontier in augmented reality: Orion, a product he confidently described as “the most advanced glasses the world has ever seen.” While still in the early stages, Orion promises to revolutionize the AR space, blending cutting-edge technology with an all-day wearable design. In this article, we will discuss the intricacies and the use case of this glasses.

A Decade in the Making: What Makes Orion Unique

Orion is strikingly compact, especially when compared to Snap’s recently launched Spectacles 5. While the design brings me the memory of Google Glass. But, as you would expect a decade later, Orion has is quantum leap ahead of Google. With advance and intelligent technologies, such as tiny projectors built into the temples of the glasses create a heads-up display (HUD). This enables immersive AR experiences. It took Meta a decade to come to this point. While this is only a prototype, Zuckerberg’s presentation highlighted their potential to reshape how we interact with both the digital and physical worlds.

Notably, Orion will be powered by a neural interface, a key differentiator from other AR devices. This innovation stems from Meta’s 2019 acquisition of CTRL-labs, a company specializing in neurotechnology. The interface, through a wristband compatible with the glasses, allows users to control AR features with simple gestures and thoughts — a major leap in human-computer interaction.

The Future of AR: From Ray-Ban Meta to Orion

Orion is positioned as a successor to Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. While the Ray-Bans opened a new category of AI-driven glasses, Orion promises to take the concept further. Meta promises to offer a true AR experience. Meta claims that Orion combines the best of both worlds: large holographic displays and personalized AI assistance, all within a everyday wearable form factor. That is easy to use, light, and stylish.

Meta has also emphasized that Orion has the largest field of view (FOV) ever in an AR device of its size, a notable contrast to Snap’s Spectacles, which have a more limited FOV. This expanded field of view unlocks a range of use cases, from multitasking with multiple digital windows to viewing life-sized holograms of people and objects in real-time. It’s an AR experience that seamlessly blends with the physical world, pushing the boundaries of what consumers and developers alike can achieve.

A Developer-First Approach: Proving the Concept

As with many new tech products, Orion will first be available to developers. Meta aims to build excitement within the developer community, encouraging them to experiment with the glasses and create new AR experiences for the platform. This developer-first approach is not uncommon, particularly in AR and VR spaces, as companies work to build ecosystems before launching consumer products.

However, the road to this point wasn’t without its challenges. According to reports, Meta has invested heavily in Orion. Some rumors mention that at this point it costs about $10,000. Yet, despite the high costs, Meta’s continued success with the Ray-Ban Meta glasses and steady growth of its Quest line suggest that the company has a solid foundation to build on.

Orion’s Vision: A More Immersive, Empowered Future

Looking ahead, Meta’s long-term vision for AR is clear. Orion is more than just a glimpse into the future — it represents the next step in merging digital and physical realities in a way that enhances human experience. From real-time translation and navigation to interactive holograms, the possibilities of what Orion can unlock are both exciting and endless.

Meta’s journey from Ray-Ban Meta to Orion is a testament to its dedication to keeping people connected, present, and empowered in the physical world while unlocking the potential of AR in daily life. As we inch closer to a future where wearable AR becomes mainstream, Orion stands at the forefront, promising to redefine how we see and interact with the world around us.