Meta’s unveiling of its Orion augmented reality (AR) glasses at the Connect conference marks a significant leap in AR technology. Unlike virtual reality (VR) headsets, Orion offers a compact, lightweight alternative that overlays digital graphics onto the real world.

If Apple introduces AR glasses, it has the potential to, once again, emerge as a key influencer that propels it into widespread adoption in the future.

Unlike the upcoming Orion glasses that have smart lenses, the current generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses have ordinary lenses. They have speakers next to each ear, a microphone and a camera that can take still or video pictures. They can see and talk, but they can’t change what you see.

This is the physical world with holograms overlaid on,” Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO, said after pulling out the chunky black glasses at the Connect conference.

Meta has unveiled its first pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses, which use holograms to overlay digital content on to the real world around the wearer.Announced during the tech giant’s Meta Connect event,

Unlike similar headsets that fit over the eyes like goggles, Orion “combines the look and feel of a regular pair of glasses with the immersive capabilities of augmented reality.”

Meta’s first AR glasses have broken cover in the form of the game-changing Orion prototype. These glasses won’t ever be available to sale, but Meta says they’re the precursor to consumer AR Glasses. And based on what we've seen they could be the world's best AR glasses when they launch.