<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Meta has introduced Travel Mode for its Quest 2 and 3 headsets, designed to enable usage in flight, smooth out positional shifting, and make VR more accessible when flying. The company also partnered with Lufthansa to offer its Quest 3 headsets for business-class travelers on Allegris flights.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        The Travel Mode can be toggled on or off from the Quest&rsquo;s settings menu. The mode is still under refinement and is not yet compatible with the motion of cars or trains, although Meta is working on adding this functionality. Further, games or apps requiring the internet will still demand Wi-Fi availability.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        <b>Analyst QuickTake: </b>
        The update aims to compete with consumer use of the Apple Vision Pro, which is also compatible with flight use. Additionally, the partnership with Lufthansa follows a similar 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26455">
          partnership
        </a>
         inked by Rokid to supply its AR glasses to Hainan Airlines for in-flight entertainment.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/13/24155396/meta-quest-airplane-passthrough-travel-mode-experimental-feature">
      The Verge
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://simpleflying.com/lufthansa-meta-quest-3-headsets-allegris-business-class/">
      Simple Flying
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


Extended Reality

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 <p>Meta has launched Travel Mode for Quest 2 and 3 headsets, enabling usage in flight and making VR more accessible on planes. They have also teamed up with Lufthansa to offer Quest 3 headsets to business-class passengers on Allegris flights. </p>
 <p>Travel Mode, which can be switched on or off in the Quest settings menu, is still being refined. Currently, it is not compatible with car or train motion, but Meta is working to add this feature. Also, games or apps that need internet will still require Wi-Fi. </p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The update aims to compete with consumer use of the Apple Vision Pro, which is also compatible with flight use. Additionally, the partnership with Lufthansa follows a similar <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/26455"> partnership </a> inked by Rokid to supply its AR glasses to Hainan Airlines for in-flight entertainment.</p>

Meta announces new Travel Mode for Quest devices; partners with Lufthansa to supply headsets for flights

Using AI to automate, enhance and optimize marketing activities

Marketing Automation

<div>
 <p>Meta, previously known as Facebook, is broadening its GenAI advertisement products. New tools for automatically generating diverse image variations and text overlays will be introduced.</p>
 <p>This innovative tool gives advertisers the ability to upload product images and generate different versions by altering orientation or settings, and by superimposing text onto the images. Furthermore, advertisers have the option to input text prompts for more personalized image variations. However, campaigns in regulated industries, such as politics, won't have access to this tool. The global launch is planned for the end of the year.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst Quicktake</b> :<br>
 Meta's expansion of its GenAI ad products is a strategic move to improve its advertising offerings and meet advertisers' growing demand for automated creative solutions. The move also positions Meta in direct competition with other digital advertising giants such as Google, which recently announced a similar expansion by <a href="https:<br>
//www.reuters.com/technology/google-upgrades-ai-product-advertisers-with-gemini-models-2024-02-22/"> integrating its Gemini AI models </a> into an existing product for advertisers of its AI ad tools.</p>

Meta expands AI image generation offerings for ads

<div>
 <p>Meta has rolled out the v65 update for its Quest headsets, which includes an enhanced feature that lets users import panoramas straight from iPhones. This, in turn, enhances the passthrough capability for a more immersive VR experience.</p>
 <p>This update allows users to upload and view their panoramas in VR through the Meta Quest app, a feature which is compatible with iPhones equipped with iOS 17 or later. It further improves the spatial video playback aspect and extends passthrough support across all system interfaces. In addition, v65 is designed to minimize interruptions caused by hand tracking when using a mouse and keyboard connected to the headset.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> The update follows Meta’s v64 update for the Quest 3 in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/28347"> April 2024 </a> , which brought notable improvements to the headset. These included improved resolution and image quality in its passthrough mode, allowing users to read smaller text, such as smartphone notifications, more easily.</p>

Meta updates Quest headsets with panorama import and improved passthrough features in v65 update

Giving creators the power of content monetization and audience engagement.

Creator Economy

<div>
 <p>Instagram is introducing major changes to its ranking system, aiming to prioritize content from small and original creators without additional costs. This is part of a drive to redistribute the platform's reach.</p>
 <p>Changes in the system include updating the ranking to increase the distribution of smaller creators' content and encouraging original content over reposts in recommendations. Additionally, reposted content will bear a label linking back to its original creator. The platform will also remove content aggregators from recommendations. Initially trialing content with a small audience, the revised algorithm will gradually extend its reach, gauging results based on engagement and performance.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Instagram's decision to revamp its ranking system to highlight content from smaller, original creators reflects a strategic shift toward encouraging a more diverse and inclusive content ecosystem. By prioritizing such content, Instagram aims to address <a href="https:<br>
//about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/equity-updates-what-weve-been-up-to-and-what-comes-next"> concerns raised by creators about disparities in reach and algorithmic biases </a> that favor larger accounts and reposted content. The move aligns with Instagram's broader strategy to increase user engagement and satisfaction by promoting authenticity and diversity on its platform.</p>

Instagram updates ranking system to boost smaller creators and original content

<div>
 <p>Meta is trialling a bonus program for creators on Threads, its text-only social media app. This exclusive program offers creators a chance to monetise their content if it achieves a certain number of views. Threads is targeted specifically to encourage user interaction and content creation. To comply with the program, creators' posts must be viewed at least 2,500 times according to Meta's guidelines. The initiative may also be widened to include Meta's Instagram users who have amassed a large following, to enhance user interaction and activity on Threads.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Meta's pilot of an invitation-only bonus program for creators on Threads represents a strategic move to incentivize creators through bonuses. It seeks to attract high-quality content and encourage creators to remain active on Threads. The initiative aligns with Meta's broader product strategy to expand its presence in the Creator Economy space and strengthen its platforms as hubs for content creation and community interaction.</p>

Meta tests bonus program for creators on Threads platform

<div>
 <p>The partnership between Microsoft and Meta has resulted in an Xbox-themed Meta Quest VR headset. Designed with gaming immersion in mind, the limited-edition headset will be bundled with Xbox controllers and a Game Pass. This is in-line with Meta's strategy to make its Quest VR operating system accessible to third-party hardware providers.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Microsoft’s hardware initiatives in the XR sector have largely been limited to its HoloLens 2 mixed reality headset, tailored toward enterprise applications and the army. The move represents a shift in efforts toward the consumer market, backed by the Quest’s history of being a prominent consumer-focused headset.</p>

Microsoft collaborates with Meta for limited edition Xbox-inspired Meta Quest VR headset

<div>
 <p>Meta announced that its 'Meta Horizon OS' mixed reality operating system can now be used by third-party manufacturers. Asus, Lenovo, and Microsoft's Xbox are the first companies to be announced to create devices using this software.</p>
 <p>Asus and Microsoft’s Xbox are creating a gaming-specific headset, whereas Lenovo’s product will focus on entertainment, productivity, and learning. However, the release of these devices may take a few years.</p>
 <p>The main features of the Meta Horizon OS include technologies for tracking the eyes, face, hands, and body, along with high-resolution passthrough. Notably, the passthrough feature allows users to visualize their surroundings while using the virtual or augmented reality headset.</p>
</div>

Meta opens up its Horizon OS for third-party device makers: Asus, Lenovo, Microsoft join

Foundation Models

<div>
 
 <p>Meta has launched Llama 3, the latest version of its open-source model. This version comes in two variants, one with 8 billion parameters and another with 70 billion parameters. Llama 3 has been trained on 15 trillion tokens using publicly accessible data.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>The model is an upgrade over its predecessors, boasting enhanced reasoning and code generation capabilities. It also exhibits a decrease in false rejection rates and better alignment, while also showcasing more varied responses.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>A number of platforms including AWS, Databricks, Google Cloud, Hugging Face, Kaggle, IBM WatsonX, Microsoft Azure, NVIDIA NIM, and Snowflake will offer the new model.</p>
 
</div>

Meta introduces open-source Llama 3 with improved reasoning capabilities

Exploring the limitless possibilities of AI

Generative AI Applications

Meta introduces Meta AI assistant built on Llama 3

<div>
 <p>Google has revised the YouTube app for the Quest 3, theoretically permitting 8K streaming, notwithstanding the device's quality is limited to 4K.</p>
 <p>There's speculation that Meta might announce support for 8K streaming during its annual Connect 2024 event this year.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Meta <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/28347"> recently </a> introduced update v64 to its Quest 3 headset, improving mixed reality passthrough quality, among other features. The potential move to support 8K streaming aligns with competition from Apple in the space, which <a href="https:<br>
//support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iph6e3a6d4fe/ios"> supports </a> the playback of spatial videos captured on an iPhone 15.&nbsp;</p>

All Updates