<p>JULIE JAMMOT / Contributor / Getty Images</p> Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks at Meta Connect, Meta

JULIE JAMMOT / Contributor / Getty Images

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks at Meta Connect, Meta’s annual event on its latest software and hardware, in Menlo Park, California, on Sept. 25, 2024

Key Takeaways

  • Meta announced the Quest 3S, the newest version of its Quest line of mixed-reality headsets, during the first day of its annual Connect conference Wednesday.
  • The lower-cost headset will start at $299.99, compared to the existing $499.99 Quest 3 and Apple’s nearly $3,500 Vision Pro.
  • CEO Mark Zuckerberg also highlighted new AI features for Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses and the introduction of celebrity voices for its Meta AI assistant.

Meta Platforms (META) announced a number of new products on the first day of its annual Connect conference Wednesday, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiling a lower-cost version of the company’s Quest virtual reality (VR) headsets, along with artificial intelligence (AI) updates.

Preorders for the Meta Quest 3S open Wednesday, and will launch Oct. 15 at $299.99, Zuckerberg announced, along with a $399.99 version with more storage. Meta’s Quest 3, which was announced at last year’s Connect event, still retails for $499.99.

The lower-cost model of Meta’s VR headset was rumored heading into the event, as reports indicated that lackluster sales for Apple’s (AAPL) nearly $3,500 Vision Pro led Meta to shelve making more expensive Quest models in favor of a more accessible option.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg also revealed Meta’s “Orion” augmented reality glasses at the event, as well as updated AI features like live translation for Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, celebrity voices for Meta’s AI assistant, and more.

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