Meta's Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, recently engaged in a discussion with CNET, reflecting on the evolution and potential trajectory of VR, AR, and AI technologies. Recalling the year 2014, Bosworth muses on how it feels like just yesterday, yet in the fast-paced realm of technology, a decade can usher in a sea of transformations. Back then, Bosworth was contributing to CNET, a role he continues today, but the landscape was markedly different; smartwatches had yet to permeate mainstream consciousness.
In that same year, the tech world buzzed with Facebook's acquisition of Oculus, heralding the imminent release of the Oculus Rift. However, the only tangible form of VR available was the Samsung Gear VR, a modest phone-connected apparatus. Fast forward to 2024, and while VR hasn't achieved universal adoption, it has firmly entrenched itself in mainstream culture. Bosworth observes families utilizing Quest 2 headsets for fitness routines and gaming sessions, while even tech behemoth Apple ventures into virtual and mixed reality with its inaugural headset, the Vision Pro.
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has also made strides in the wearable tech arena with its Ray-Ban smart glasses, once viewed as futuristic novelties but now finding resonance in a market teeming with AI-infused wearables from startups like Humane and Brilliant Labs. Meta's own foray into AI integration with these glasses underscores the company's commitment to innovation.
Looking ahead, Bosworth envisions Meta's trajectory encompassing the launch of the Quest 3, further integration of AI, advancements in smart glasses technology, and the advent of AR glasses. As the technological landscape continues to evolve, Meta stands poised at the forefront of these groundbreaking developments, shaping the future of human-computer interaction.