Meta Unveils $1,299 VR Glasses and New AI Agent Muse

Meta released new virtual reality and smart glasses on Wednesday. The company also introduced an AI agent named Muse. These devices include cameras and cost $1,299 for the VR model. The announcement comes as privacy concerns grow.

The new lineup includes a $349 pair of smart glasses without cameras. Meta plans to ship a keychain gadget with the AI agent in December. The company says it is pushing forward despite industry calls to slow down.

New Features and Pricing

The virtual reality glasses allow users to watch movies and play games. The Muse agent can help book appointments and find flights. This tool aims to make daily tasks easier for users.

Meta also released privacy protections for certain AI features. These measures prevent anyone, including Meta, from accessing user data. The company claims these steps help protect people’s privacy.

Privacy Backlash and Legal Issues

More than 70 people have sued Meta over smart glasses. They allege intimate images were exposed to contract workers. These workers were tasked with training artificial intelligence systems.

Meta denies these allegations and says it filters data. Critics call the devices “pervert glasses” due to secret recording. The Los Angeles Times reports that backlash is building against the company.

Industry Safety and Regulation

Concerns about AI control have increased recently. A former safety researcher resigned citing existential risks. Politicians are moving to add more oversight to AI companies.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the company delayed Muse for safety. The Muse app topped Apple’s productivity charts. Amazon blocked Muse from shopping on its e-commerce site.