Meta's annual "Connect" conference kicks off Wednesday, with analysts expecting product releases that could include a lower-cost Quest VR headset, new augmented reality smart glasses, and updates on the company's AI efforts.

Meta Connect starts Wednesday at 10 a.m. PT and is set to focus on Meta's XR platforms, the metaverse, and its generative AI platform, Llama.

It's Meta's turn to step up to the plate and host a developer conference. This year's Meta Connect takes place on September 25 and 26. While the bulk of the event will focus on how developers can get the most out of Meta's products,

At the upcoming Connect 2024 event, Meta is also likely to reveal an upgraded version of its Meta-Rayban smart glasses. The new model may feature a refreshed design, enhanced battery life, better audio quality, and new AI capabilities. Additionally, these smart glasses could become available in more regions following the event.

Meta Connect 2024 may launch a new look for avatars and stickers in VR and messaging apps as it moves closer to its wild Codec avatars goal.

Meta Connect will air Sept. 25 and 26 from the stage at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California. Meta will (hopefully) reveal exact timing for the event by next week. You can watch it via Facebook or, if you’re all-in on Meta’s vision, through the Horizon Worlds app on a Meta Quest headset.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will take the stage on September 25 to deliver a keynote address about all things AR and VR, chatbots, headsets, smart glasses, and generative AI. Here’s a preview.

The Meta Quest 3 is the company's current VR headset, and while certainly not as expensive as Apple's Vision Pro, it still costs $499 minimum. According to the rumor mill, Meta is working on a less expensive version of the Quest 3,