Ray-Ban Stories: cool or creepy?
In a wild new step for technology, Facebook and Ray-Ban has unveiled Ray-Ban Stories, a new pair of eyeglasses with speakers, microphones and cameras built-in, designed to let users take hands-free photos and videos to share and listen through your most authentic moments.
The announcement was made today by Mark Zuckerberg and Rocco Basilico in a virtual announcement detailing the partnership and the exciting capabilities.
The key takeaways
- Facebook and Ray-Ban announces the launch of Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses
- Wayfarer-style specs feature pair of cameras for photos and videos, as well as a microphone and speaker
- Ytou’ll be able to find them pretty much anywhere Ray-Bans are sold, including OPSM and Sunglasses Hut stores.
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The $449 glasses, built in partnership with eyewear company EssilorLuxottica (Ray-Ban’s parent company) and resembling a pair of traditional Ray-Ban Wayfarers, include a dual integrated 5MP camera to capture photo and video; discreet open-ear speakers to listen, and a three-microphone audio array to deliver rich voice and sound transmission for calls and videos. There’s a physical button on the glasses for recording, or you can say “Hey Facebook, take a video” to control them hands-free.
You can also find Ray-Ban Stories in a variety of other iconic styles such as the legendary, retro Round and the super iconic Meteor, and add flare to your style by choosing various lenses, whether that be sun, prescription, polarised, gradient, Transitions® and clear.
Interestingly, creators were able to engineer smart technology to support all-day wear, including an optimised Snapdragon processor, without compromising style, comfort, and aesthetic, but most of all the weight, with just 5gr more than a standard pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarer.
The glasses don’t feature a display or an internet connection, and instead connect wirelessly to a user’s phone via a companion app, Facebook View (iOS and Android), creating an easy way to import, edit, and share content captured on the smart glasses with the ability to upload on any social app stored on your phone.
“We are incredibly proud to bring Ray-Ban Stories to life with our partners at Facebook,” said Rocco Basilico, Chief Wearables Officer for EssilorLuxottica.
“This is a milestone product that proves consumers don’t have to choose between technology and fashion – they can live in the moment and stay connected while wearing their favourite style of Ray-Bans.
Our unique approach, combining decades of superior craftsmanship, a dedicated spirit of innovation and a commitment to delivering only cutting edge technology has resulted in a wearable that people will truly love wearing.”
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The smart glasses will be available through both Sunglass Hut & OPSM (from September 13), and at Ray-Ban stores and Ray-Ban.com from today.
