Meta has shared a short video showcasing the operating system interface of its Orion AR glasses prototype, which was presented at Meta Connect 2024 in September. The company plans to eventually release commercial AR glasses that “build on our R&D efforts with Orion”, but with a narrower field of view.
As part of the Orion effort, Meta created a prototype operating system, including user interface and key apps. The new video shows off this interface, as well as some of those apps. What’s notable is that the video appears to demonstrate realistic limitations of the display system, such as translucent virtual interfaces and objects.
The video has sparked interest in the design choices made by Meta, particularly with regards to multiple app launcher main menu interfaces. While it may seem like a concept, developer Alex Coulombe confirmed that this is an actual representation of what the Orion OS feels like.
The reason for developing a separate operating system for AR glasses, rather than using Horizon OS from Quest headsets, lies in the distinct design requirements and performance constraints of each product category. AR glasses need to be optimized for mobility and outdoor use, whereas Quest headsets are designed for stationary indoor use.
Meta’s CTO Andrew Bosworth previously stated that Orion’s compute envelope is 10 times smaller than Quest, indicating a simplified architecture with less ambitious apps. This parallels the situation with iPhone and macOS, or Apple Watch and iOS, where different form factors require distinct interfaces and approaches.
With the first consumer product reportedly slated for 2027, Meta will spend the next three years refining its approach to designing suitable interfaces and app architectures for AR glasses. The Orion OS represents a significant step forward in this journey, with the hope that it will become the dominant platform for the future of computing.
Source: https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-orion-ar-operating-system-video