Meta Plans to Launch Six AI-Powered Mixed Reality Devices This Year

Author

Technology Insights Daily
February 13, 2025

In partnership with

Here’s Why Over 4 Million Professionals Read Morning Brew

  • Business news explained in plain English

  • Straight facts, zero fluff, & plenty of puns

  • 100% free

Welcome to Technology Insights Daily! We work hard to bring you the latest tech updates, and your support keeps us going. A great way to help is by checking out our amazing sponsors—they make this newsletter possible! Click on the links above to explore exclusive offers and innovations from our partners. Let’s get started!

Meta is preparing to release six AI-driven mixed reality (MR) devices in 2025, setting an ambitious long-term goal of reaching billions of sales. This move underscores Meta’s aggressive push into augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) as part of its metaverse expansion strategy.

Key Developments in Meta’s MR Strategy:

  1. New Ray-Ban Smart Glasses with Displays – Meta is upgrading its Ray-Ban smart glasses to include built-in displays that can show notifications and AI-generated responses.

  2. Project Orion AR Glasses – Meta is accelerating development on "Orion", its next-generation AR glasses, designed to overlay digital content onto the real world.

  3. Improved AI Integration – Meta aims to enhance AI-powered real-time assistance, making AI interactions feel more seamless in everyday life.

  4. Massive Sales Targets –

  5. Over 1 million Ray-Ban smart glasses sold in 2024.

  6. Goal to double sales to 2 million units in 2025.

  7. Long-term vision: 500 million+ units and ultimately billions in sales.

With billions of dollars invested, Meta is betting that AI-enhanced mixed reality will redefine how people work, socialize, and interact with technology.

Apple is preparing to release the iOS 18.4 beta, bringing new features, improvements, and refinements ahead of its full public rollout. While the update isn’t expected to introduce major design changes, it will likely focus on enhanced AI capabilities, security updates, and system optimizations.

Key Features & Changes Expected in iOS 18.4:

  1. Siri & AI Enhancements – Apple is expected to introduce new on-device AI features and improved Siri functionality as part of its broader push into AI-driven experiences.

  2. Safari AI Search Boosts – Further improvements to Safari’s AI-powered browsing experience, possibly enhancing intelligent search and content summarization.

  3. Bug Fixes & Performance Upgrades – Addressing reported battery drain issues from iOS 18.3 and optimizing system stability for better performance.

  4. New Emojis & UI Tweaks – Apple may introduce new emoji updates and small UI refinements across the system.

  5. Security & Privacy Upgrades – Further enhancements to app tracking transparency, end-to-end encryption, and malware protection.

Sony has introduced a new automatic upload feature for select cameras, allowing users to seamlessly transfer photos and videos directly to Adobe Lightroom and Google Drive. This update, available via Sony’s Creators' App, aims to streamline workflow and improve cloud-based collaboration for photographers and content creators.

Key Features of the Auto-Upload Update:

  1. Direct Cloud Upload – Photos and videos can be automatically backed up to Adobe Lightroom or Google Drive, eliminating the need for manual transfers.

  2. Supported Camera Models – This feature is available for high-end models, including:

  3. FX3, FX30, α1 II, α1, α9 III, α7R V, α7S III, α7 IV, α7CR, α7C II, α6700, ZV-E1, ZV-E10 II, ZV-1 II, ZV-1F, and ILX-LR1.

  4. Workflow Optimization – Professional photographers and content creators can now enjoy instant cloud backup, making it easier to edit and share content without needing a computer.

  5. Creators' App Update – The Sony Creators' App has been updated to enable this feature, now available on Google Play and the App Store.

This new cloud upload feature reflects Sony’s commitment to enhancing the user experience by integrating AI-driven workflow solutions and seamless cloud connectivity.

Recent Nintendo patents suggest that the Joy-Con controllers for the upcoming Switch 2 may feature a mouse-like functionality, allowing them to be used for precision input on flat surfaces. This innovative design could significantly enhance gameplay and usability, particularly for strategy and simulation games.

Key Features Based on the Patent:

  1. Optical Sensor for Mouse-Like Tracking – The Joy-Con’s bottom may contain an optical sensor, similar to a traditional computer mouse, allowing it to track movement on surfaces.

  2. Magnetic Attachment System – The patent suggests a new magnetic connection instead of the traditional sliding rail mechanism, making attachment and detachment more seamless.

  3. Potential PC Compatibility – If the mouse mode is realized, the Joy-Con could also function as a wireless input device for PCs, tablets, and other devices.

  4. Enhanced UI Navigation – The Joy-Con’s cursor control could improve user interface interactions, particularly in strategy, simulation, or creative applications.

While patents don’t always guarantee a final product, this revelation hints that Nintendo is exploring bold new ideas for the Switch 2’s Joy-Con, potentially redefining console input methods. Stay tuned for official details from Nintendo!

During the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Russian cyberattack groups have reportedly exploited a zero-day vulnerability in 7-Zip, a widely used file compression tool, to target Ukrainian government agencies and businesses. This attack demonstrates how software vulnerabilities can be weaponized in cyber warfare.

How Russia Uses 7-Zip to Launch Cyberattacks

  1. Bypassing Windows Security Protections – Windows typically applies a Mark of the Web (MotW) security label to files downloaded from the internet, triggering extra security checks. However, 7-Zip fails to correctly apply this label to deeply nested archive files, allowing attackers to embed malicious executables that evade detection.

  2. Homograph Attack Techniques – Hackers use visually similar characters (e.g., Cyrillic “С” vs. Latin “C”) to disguise malicious executable files as legitimate documents, deceiving victims into opening them.

  3. Phishing Emails as Delivery Method – Russian attackers have reportedly compromised Ukrainian government email accounts to send phishing emails containing malicious double-compressed 7-Zip files, which install malware like SmokeLoader upon extraction.

This incident highlights the growing role of cyber warfare in modern conflicts, where software vulnerabilities and social engineering techniques are used to disrupt critical infrastructure. Keeping software updated and staying vigilant against phishing attacks remain essential defenses against such cyber threats.

That’s a wrap for today! Stay informed and ahead—catch us tomorrow for more insights. Share & subscribe at 🔗 www.technologyinsightsdaily.com. 🚀