Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg envisions a future where smart glasses with holographic displays will gradually replace mobile phones as humanity’s primary communication and computing device. In a recent interview with YouTuber Kane “Kalloway” Sutter, Zuckerberg discussed various topics, including artificial intelligence and open source.
When asked about Meta’s most exciting future product, Zuckerberg endorsed a set of smart glasses featuring cameras, microphones, speakers, and a full field-of-view (FOV) holographic display.
Pundits in both the advertising world and the technoverse have often mocked Meta’s pivot from Facebook to a metaverse-focused company. However, Zuckerberg remains optimistic that smart glasses are on the brink of supplanting smartphones. He explained that while these wearable holographic displays wouldn’t entirely replace smartphones, they could become helpful enough for people to leave their phones in their pockets most of the time.
Meta envisions three distinct products to achieve this: displayless glasses utilizing voice AI, heads-up display glasses offering primary displays without full holography, and premium glasses featuring a full FOV holographic display.
These products aim to bridge the gap between the current Ray-Ban Meta, which has no display, and bulkier VR headsets designed for virtual reality, making them more suitable for augmented and mixed-reality applications.
The Future of Digital Interaction with Virtual Reality
Meta’s holographic glasses are about augmenting reality and transforming how we interact with the digital world. Zuckerberg described potential applications, from simple information overlays similar to video game HUDs to intricate interactions with digital assets like non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This technology promises to blend digital content seamlessly into our physical surroundings, enhancing daily activities.
Meta’s advanced AR technology, particularly in their upcoming ‘full holographic’ glasses, showcases their significant investment in Reality Labs for building advanced VR and AR wearables.
Moreover, the glasses could serve as the main interface for a non-invasive neural device. Unlike Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which requires surgical implantation for a brain-computer interface, Meta is developing a neural wristband that reads and interprets nerve signals. This wristband and holographic glasses offer a user-friendly alternative for digital interaction without direct brain intervention.
Zuckerberg highlighted the non-invasive nature of this technology, saying, “I think most people are not going to want something wired into their brain.”
Full FOV holographic displays with Meta’s neural wristband can create immersive digital environments, turning the real world into a Web3 workspace.
As Web3 emphasizes decentralization and blockchain technologies, these glasses could mainstream cryptocurrencies and NFTs by enhancing user interaction with digital currencies and assets.
Timeline and Prototype
Zuckerberg mentioned that Meta is taking a cautious approach to the timeline, focusing on perfecting the technology before its widespread release.
However, the prototype phase is imminent. “We’re almost ready to start showing the prototype version of the full holographic glasses,” Zuckerberg shared. Although these prototypes won’t be available for sale, Meta plans to demonstrate them to select individuals. These glasses could serve as the primary display for neural interfaces, providing a seamless alternative to invasive procedures.
The potential of smart glasses with an entire field-of-view holographic display includes capabilities for real-time communications, informational overlays, and heads-up displays similar to those in video games or military equipment.