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| Facebook announces Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses |
Facebook has announced its smart theme called Ray-Ban Stories, which was developed in collaboration with the Ray-Ban brand.
These types of glasses can be purchased anywhere Ray-Ban sunglasses are available for $299. The frame is equipped with two front cameras for video and photo recording.
It syncs with a companion movie strip app called Facebook View, where clips can be edited and shared with other apps on the phone.
There are physical buttons on the glasses for recording, and you can also control the recording hands-free using voice commands.
With its basic ability to take photos and videos, Ray-Ban Stories is basically a stylish version of the Spectacles that debuted in 2016.
There is no screen in the glass of these glasses. However, the speakers on either side of the frame can play phone audio via Bluetooth so you can take calls or listen to podcasts without having to pull out your phone.
With the built-in touchpad on the side of the frame, you can change the volume or play and pause what you hear.
Ray-Ban Stories is the first product of a long-term collaboration between Facebook and European eyewear company EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of the Ray-Ban brand.
Although its capabilities are limited, Ray-Ban Story is the most natural smart eyeglass.
The two companies also see it as a step towards more advanced augmented reality glasses that can overlay graphics in the real world.
Before the device's memory fills up, the dual 5-megapixel cameras can record more than 30 seconds of video or nearly 500 photos.
If you do not want to use the warning, you can respond to it manually using the button in the upper right corner of the window.
Facebook said its voice assistant only hears the sentence when it's turned on and its function is limited to starting a recording.
The lights on the glasses give you a range of information: green means full charge, orange means the battery is nearly empty, blue means pairing mode, red means the battery is empty, and white means a selection error.
When the glasses are recording, a separate white light will illuminate next to the right camera.
According to Facebook, it takes about an hour to fully charge the glasses and the battery can last about 6 hours with intermittent use.
After pairing the glasses, the Companion View app displays the battery values in real time.
Facebook announces Ray-Ban Stories . smart glasses
The carrying case attached to the glasses is durable, made of leather-like material and has an integrated charger that can be used to charge the battery three times. The case itself is charged via the USB-C cable included in the case.
The sound does not appear to be directed specifically at the wearer's ears and is easily heard when standing next to a person wearing glasses.
The cameras in glasses are also not as good as modern smartphones. Instead, these glasses are meant to be used when your hands are busy or when you want to pick up short-lived things.
Although the Facebook CEO recently posted a teaser video showing him in the ocean wearing glasses, the glasses are not designed to get wet.
During initial setup, Companion View walks you through a privacy policy that requires Facebook to collect data about how you use your glasses.
The app requires a Facebook account to be used. However, the company does not analyze the content that you record and store in the app in order to personalize ads for you.
There are three main tire styles: Wayfarer, Round and Meteor. There are a total of 20 combinations of styles, colors, sizes and types of lenses.
They were initially sold online and in stores in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Ireland and Australia.
These glasses are not Facebook-branded products such as the Oculus VR headset or a range of video calling devices.
Facebook provides the technology and software that powers the glasses, and Ray-Ban is responsible for designing and selling the glasses.
Facebook has more than 10,000 employees making devices for consumers, including a smartwatch designed to help control its augmented reality glasses, internally called Orion.