Why are Meta and Snap pouring billions of dollars into AR glasses?

AR glasses are a huge step forward in technology, helping to define the next generation of computers, causing the "big guys" to invest heavily in development.

After a decade of development and billions of dollars in investment (US), Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has unveiled one of his most ambitious projects: a prototype of augmented reality glasses called Orion. A week earlier, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel took the stage at the company's annual Partner Conference to introduce the fifth generation of AR-enabled Spectacles.

AR glasses simulation image.

Both companies see huge potential in the technology, envisioning AR glasses replacing smartphones as the next generation of computing. “This is a huge step forward in technology that will define the next generation of computing,” Chris Cox, Meta ’s chief product officer, told CNBC.

The dream of augmented and mixed reality glasses is something that tech giants have been chasing for years.

Earlier this year, Apple began selling its Vision Pro virtual reality headset for $3,500. Google was first to market in 2013 with Google Glass, its first attempt at AR, which was plagued by setbacks and ultimately canceled. Microsoft has also been investing in AR for more than a decade, launching its HoloLens headset in 2016. HoloLens failed to gain traction and was discontinued.

What is AR technology?

AR (Augmented Reality) technology is an enhanced virtual reality technology developed by the manufacturer based on VR technology. Augmented reality focuses on combining the real world with virtual information, not separating users into a separate space like virtual reality. It can support interaction with virtual content in real life such as touching, can overlay an image layer on top of real images...

"We are in our adolescence. We see a lot of potential but we have not achieved our goals," said Tuong Nguyen, an analyst at Gartner.

While Snap and Meta have shown AR prototypes, they’re still years away from selling the devices to consumers. The technology is too expensive to mass produce. For now, Meta plans to use the Orion headset as a device for its developer staff.

"Meta will use AR glasses primarily internally to build the necessary software. We will also work with a number of partners to ensure this product diversity in the future," Zuckerberg said at the Meta Connect conference organized by the company in September.

Similarly, Snap plans to invest in building an AR glasses rental ecosystem for developers who commit to paying $99 per month for a year for its Spectacles augmented reality glasses.

"Snap has tried to lower the barrier for people to start accessing this new technology. We are at an opportune time, when both consumers and developers are ready for something new," Snap CEO Spiegel shared.

(Source: CNBC)

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/tai-sao-meta-va-snap-do-hang-ty-do-la-vao-kinh-thuc-te-tang-cuong-ar-192241025155904628.htm