Facebook and Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica have announced the launch of their first smart glasses, a model based on the latter’s classic Wayfarer design called Ray-Ban Stories. The glasses feature a pair of cameras to take photos and videos, a microphone and speaker to listen to music and podcasts, as well as a voice assistant and other software for hands-free operation and access to social media content.
In a statement, Facebook said the Ray-Ban Stories glasses are just five grams heavier than a standard pair of Wayfarers. They incorporate dual integrated 5MP cameras on each wing of the glasses, allowing users to take photos and video of up to 30 seconds with a long or short tap of the device’s only button, or else hands-free with Facebook Assistant voice commands. The glasses also feature open-ear speakers and a three-microphone audio array for calls and videos.
Ray-Ban Stories pair with the new Facebook View app on iOS and Android so that users can easily share their stories and memories with friends and social media followers via Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat and more. Users can also save content to their phone’s camera roll and edit from there via exclusive post-capture enhancements built into Facebook View.
Facebook was also keen to add that the glasses have been designed with privacy in mind, and contain “numerous built-in features to provide control and peace of mind to both device owners and bystanders”. These include hardware protections such as a power switch to turn off the cameras and microphone, plus hard-wired capture LED lights up to let people nearby know when users are taking a photo or video.
Ray-Ban Stories will be available for purchase in 20 variations at a starting price of USD 299 online and in select retail stores in the US, as well as Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy and the UK. The partners added that the different models will include classic Ray-Ban styles such as Wayfarer, Wayfarer Large, Round and Meteor plus five colours with a range of lenses including clear, sun, transition and prescription.
