Ray-Ban Stories are the first-generation smart glasses that offer a stylish and functional way to capture, share, and enjoy life’s moments. Launched in 2021 by Meta (formerly Facebook) and EssilorLuxottica, the glasses have been praised for their seamless integration of technology and design, as well as their privacy features and user experience.
What are Ray-Ban Stories?
Ray-Ban Stories are smart glasses that look and feel like regular Ray-Ban sunglasses or prescription glasses, but with built-in cameras, microphones, speakers, and touch controls. They allow users to take photos and videos, listen to music and podcasts, make phone calls, and access voice assistants, all while keeping their hands and phone in their pockets.
The glasses come in three iconic Ray-Ban styles: Wayfarer, Round, and Meteor, and in various colors and lenses, including polarized, clear, and Transitions®. They also have a companion app called Facebook View, which lets users edit, share, and manage their content on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other platforms.
How do Ray-Ban Stories work?
Ray-Ban Stories have two 5-megapixel cameras on the front of the frames, which can capture photos and videos with a single tap or a voice command. The cameras have LED lights that indicate when they are recording, and users can also turn off the cameras and microphones with a physical switch on the glasses.
The glasses also have open-ear speakers on the temples, which deliver high-quality sound without blocking the ambient noise. Users can control the volume, playback, and calls with touch gestures or voice commands. The glasses also support Siri and Google Assistant, which can be activated by saying “Hey Facebook” or pressing and holding the touch area.
The glasses have a battery life of up to six hours, depending on the usage, and come with a portable charging case that can provide up to three full charges. The glasses can be paired with any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, and the Facebook View app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
What are the benefits of Ray-Ban Stories?
Ray-Ban Stories are designed to enhance the user’s everyday life by offering a convenient and immersive way to capture and share their experiences. The glasses are also meant to help users be more present and engaged with their surroundings, as they do not need to look at their phone screens or hold their devices.
The glasses also offer a stylish and comfortable option for smart glasses, as they maintain the classic and timeless look of Ray-Ban, while adding subtle and discreet features that do not compromise the aesthetics or the quality. The glasses are also customizable, as users can choose from different styles, colors, and lenses to suit their preferences and needs.
Moreover, the glasses have built-in privacy features that protect the user’s and others’ data and rights. The glasses have clear indicators of when they are recording, and users can also disable the cameras and microphones at any time. The glasses also have encryption and security measures that prevent unauthorized access to the content and the device. The glasses also follow the responsible use guidelines and policies of Meta and Ray-Ban, which encourage users to respect the privacy and consent of others, and to comply with the local laws and regulations.
What are the latest updates on Ray-Ban Stories?
Ray-Ban Stories have been well-received by the public and the media, and have been praised for their innovation and design. The glasses have also been featured in various publications, such as Forbes, which called them “a success story of fashion-meets-tech” .
In March 2022, Meta and Ray-Ban announced that they were expanding the availability of the glasses to four new markets: Spain, Austria, Belgium, and France . They also introduced four new color combinations with Transitions® lenses, which adapt to different light conditions .
In addition, they also added new software features to the glasses, such as the ability to record up to 60 seconds of video, the support for voice commands in French and Italian, and the audible notifications for battery, storage, and temperature status . They also improved the voice and media control functions, and the integration with Messenger and other apps .
Meta and Ray-Ban also launched a marketing campaign in the EU markets to educate people on the smart glasses and how they work, and to raise awareness on the privacy and ethical aspects of using them .
What are the future plans for Ray-Ban Stories?
Meta and Ray-Ban have stated that they are committed to developing and improving the smart glasses, and that they are working on the second-generation version, which is expected to launch in October 2023, along with the Quest 3 mixed-reality headset .
The second-generation Ray-Ban Stories are rumored to have improved privacy features, such as the ability to blur faces and license plates in the photos and videos, and to block unwanted recordings . They are also said to have enhanced live stream capabilities, and advanced sound isolation to improve the audio quality .
Furthermore, Meta and Ray-Ban are also exploring the possibility of adding augmented reality technology to the smart glasses in the future, which would enable users to see digital information and graphics overlaid on their physical environment . However, this is likely to happen in 2025 or later, as the technology is still in its early stages .
Ray-Ban Stories are the smart glasses that combine fashion and tech, and offer a new way to experience and share life’s moments. They are the result of a collaboration between Meta and Ray-Ban, two leaders in their respective fields, and they represent the first step towards a more connected and immersive future.
