Meta is preparing for its annual event, Meta Connect, which focuses on VR, AR, and the metaverse. The company plans to showcase its new VR headset, the Meta Quest 3, which has been slimmed down and features redesigned controllers. Powered by a next-gen Qualcomm chipset, the headset offers better graphics and includes mixed-reality features. Meta hopes that this consumer version of VR/AR will gain wider public acceptance. Additionally, Meta’s CTO Andrew Bosworth hinted at a second-generation of smart glasses under the Ray-Ban brand, which will come with improved cameras and new features like livestreaming. The event will also highlight AI chatbots, avatars, and Horizon Worlds, Meta’s baby metaverse.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is taking steps to reinstate net neutrality protections that were removed in 2018 during the Trump administration. With the addition of Anna Gomez as the third Democratic member on the FCC panel, the agency plans to reintroduce net neutrality rules, which aim to prevent internet service providers from blocking or favoring certain content. The process of restoring the rules will involve a vote on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking during the FCC’s next monthly meeting on October 19. If approved, the agency will enter into new rulemaking and seek public input on the proposed regulations.
LG has introduced its Gram Fold, a touchscreen device that functions as both a tablet and a computer when unfolded. The device features a 17-inch OLED screen with a QXGA+ resolution and can be connected to a Bluetooth keyboard. Priced at 4.99 million won ($3,700), the Gram Fold offers a more affordable alternative to HP’s Spectre Fold, which costs $5,000. This flexible screen laptop market includes other similar products like the ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold.
Spotify has launched a new feature called Jam, allowing friends to curate a playlist together and listen to it in real time. Participants can contribute songs to a shared queue regardless of their physical location. The feature is available to both free and Premium subscribers, with only the latter being able to initiate a session. Apple Music has also teased a similar collaborative service for iOS 17, set to launch later this year.