In 2021, Ray-Ban commercialized a model of smart glasses that they developed with Facebook Reality Labs called Ray-Ban Stories. OwnersLuxottica GroupWebsiteray-ban.comRay-Ban ray ban caravan is a brand of luxury sunglasses and eyeglasses created in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb. The brand is known for its Wayfarer and Aviator lines of sunglasses.
Alex Himel, VP of AR at Facebook Reality Labs, informed me over a Zoom chat that taping over the LED light was a violation of the terms of service of the glasses, which prohibit tampering with the device. There’s a difference between technology that is merely “creepy” versus something that causes actual harm, and conflating the two is an easy mistake . But the potential for real-world harm with these glasses seems obvious and clear. Photographing people without their knowledge is usually merely creepy, but a vengeful ex or jealous partner using this technology to threaten, blackmail, or embarrass someone is harmful.
The glasses, which Facebook had teased in the past, start at $299 and come in three styles, including the iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarer, and five hues . Initially, they’re being sold at some Ray-Ban stores and at Ray-Ban.com, and are available to buyers in six countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Facebook and Ray-Ban are also playing up the Stories’ audio features. The glasses include two speakers at the bottom of each temple, but they’re not great. They charge when you set them in the carrying case, which Facebook says gives three full charges. As someone who doesn’t normally wear glasses, the clear lens Ray-Ban Stories felt a bit awkward for me during everyday moments, like walking through San Francisco to a coffee meeting or wearing them at dinner with friends.
Initial pairing was easy, and syncing footage from the glasses back to the View app took only a few seconds through a Wi-Fi connection the glasses initiate. You’ll be able to buy Ray-Ban Stories today in 20 different styles in the US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy and the UK. Even though the Ray-Ban Stories may seem to have limited availability right now, Facebook and Luxottica have a multi-year partnership that will result in even more products. It’s likely that true AR glasses, which can display information on your lenses, aren’t far off. And you can be sure of that, since Snapchat has already shown off its own AR Spectacles.
The company has created its first “smart glasses”, with a pair of cameras to take photos and videos, a microphone and speaker to listen to podcasts, and a voice assistant to let you do the whole thing hands-free. Ray-Ban Stories essentially mix the functionality of earbuds like Apple’s AirPods with sunglasses that can capture photos. It’s not clear whether such a product will find a large market, given that the photos taken on smartphones are far superior and many phone users already have earbuds. They are also much pricier than regular Ray-Ban Wayfarers, which typically cost $100 to $200. Snapchat parent Snap Inc. first released Spectacles in 2016 with a built-in camera for shooting video.
You can also increase volume in prescription sun lenses to further grow your practice. You may be able to apply your vision insurance to the purchase of prescription Ray-Ban sunglasses or glasses, and that could mean you pay a lower price out-of-pocket. These Ray-Bans are decidedly not a Facebook-branded product, like its Oculus VR headset ray ban new wayfarer or Portal video calling device lineup. Facebook is supplying the tech and software that powers the glasses, while Ray-Ban oversees the design and sale of them. Both companies declined to discuss the financial details of the arrangement. I’ve tried a bunch of smart glasses over the years, and these are by far the most comfortable.
That means wearing the glasses and listening to music on the bus or at the grocery store is out of the question, at least for me. ” is a pair of photo- and video-capturing ray ban caravan sunglasses, à la Snap Spectacles. They’re called Ray-Ban Stories, with Ray-Ban appearing first and Facebook second in most of the product branding.