Ray-Ban Stories: Facebook's New Smart Sunglasses

Facebook Enters the Smart Glasses Market with Ray-Ban Stories

Facebook officially unveiled its entry into the smart glasses arena on Thursday. This launch involves a collaboration with leading eyewear manufacturer, EssilorLuxottica, resulting in the Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses.

Key Features and Functionality

These glasses boast a remarkably streamlined design, representing some of the most discreet smart glasses currently available to consumers. Users can capture photos and videos utilizing the integrated dual 5 MP cameras.

Audio playback is facilitated through built-in speakers, and the glasses also support hands-free phone calls. Full functionality requires connection to either an iOS or Android smartphone.

However, the glasses themselves can store a substantial number of photos and videos – hundreds of images or dozens of video clips – before requiring transfer to a mobile device via Facebook’s dedicated View app.

The dual camera setup enables the creation of 3D effects within photos and videos after uploading them to the app.

Design and Comfort

Weighing in at under 50 grams, the Ray-Ban Stories are exceptionally lightweight. They are supplied with a protective leather charging case.

Battery life is advertised as lasting throughout the day, a claim verified during independent reviews.

Controls and Indicators

Operation is managed through physical buttons, including a dedicated button for recording media and a power switch. A touchpad located on the right temple allows for gesture-based control, such as volume adjustment and call answering.

A prominent white LED illuminates to visibly signal to those nearby when video recording is in progress.

It’s important to note that these glasses are not designed to be waterproof or even splash-proof.

Style and Pricing

The smart sunglasses are offered in three iconic Ray-Ban styles, with a variety of color and lens options available.

Prescription lenses are fully compatible with the Ray-Ban Stories frames. The starting price is $299, with polarized and transition lenses available at a premium.

Augmented Reality Capabilities

Unlike some competitors, such as Snap’s latest Spectacles prototype, these glasses do not incorporate in-lens displays for displaying augmented reality content.

Strategic Importance for Facebook

This product launch is a significant milestone for Facebook. Initial details regarding the Ray-Ban partnership and the product itself were first revealed at the company’s AR/VR developer conference last September.

Facebook views this device as a foundational step towards its broader augmented reality goals, aiming to familiarize users with the concept of technologically advanced eyewear.

According to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, in a promotional video, “Ray-Ban Stories represent a crucial advancement towards a future where smartphones are less central to our daily lives, and individuals won’t need to choose between engaging with technology and experiencing the world around them.”