Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses weigh only about five grams more than the original Wayfarer design — that’s equivalent to the weight of about a teaspoon of salt. After testing a pair of Ray-Ban Stories for the past week, I’m impressed with the build quality and how well they work. 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.
And by job, I don’t mean a spy—not that I could tell you if I was one anyway. I’m a not-at-all covert technology columnist reviewing a new pair of camera-equipped sunglasses from Ray-Ban and Facebook , and considering the privacy implications of such an innovation. In addition to Google Glass and Spectacles, you can buy a pair of fake glasses with a hidden camera for about $50 on Amazon. Someone really motivated to do some sort of sneaky surveillance already has an easy way to do this. Facebook isn’t inventing the wheel here — they’re just adding a sleeker chassis and leather interior. A Facebook VP informed me that taping over the LED light was a violation of the terms of service of the glasses.
These are meant to be used with a phone nearby, but they could be stand-alone camera-glasses for a few hours, too. The glasses recharge using the included case, using a clever magnetic contact hidden in one of the glasses’ arm hinges. While the glasses themselves provide only a couple hours of battery life, the included charging case provides roughly a day of use, Facebook says. In addition to coming in several styles and colors, they can be made as sunglasses or untinted lenses, prescription and even progressive lenses.
In 1929, the US Army commissioned Bausch & Lomb, which at the time was a medical equipment manufacturer, to create an aviation-style of sunglasses for the military. They wanted a specific design that would reduce blue and white hues in the sky for their pilots. The iconic browline on the upper frame naturally makes a strong first impression. You’ll be able to find these Ray Ban glasses in a variety of color combinations and sizes to suit most face shapes and complexions. One added bonus was that no one could hear me say “Hey, Facebook” while I was alone on the trails.
To look up and apply insurance for a dependent, be sure to use his or her personal or plan information. Discover the new Emporio Armani Collection online and in store. TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The Jackie Ohh collection uses a vortex-style design with large lenses.
The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our lives—from culture to business, science to design. The breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to new ways of thinking, new connections, and new industries. Facebook’s slowness may have been intentional; Andrew Bosworth, who runs the company’s Reality Labs, has said multiple times that the company doesn’t want to “surprise” people as it introduces new technologies. This has been in response to Facebook’s move-fast-and-break-things mantra, its questionable data-collection practices, and its cascade of somewhat impotent privacy settings. Where Facebook goes next with glasses is the interesting part.
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. Zuckerberg has said he thinks virtual and augmented reality-powered devices are the next major ray ban caravan platform for human communication, after mobile phones, eventually replacing some in-person interactions. There’s also a touch area on the right side of the glasses for controlling music, a voice assistant and calls. A user can swipe left or right to adjust volume, tap to play, pause and skip music, or double tap to answer and end phone calls.
The Ray-Ban Stories are a fine first attempt at smart glasses by Facebook. It’s great that the company teamed up with a brand people will actually want to wear. The glasses were first reported by CNBC in 2019, but Facebook is hardly the first company to roll out a pair of smart glasses. Social-media rival Snap launched its first Spectacles devices in 2016, and the ill-fated Google Glass devices launched way back in 2013. An iconic leader in sunglasses and prescription eyewear for generations, Ray-Ban remains a top brand in the eyewear industry with authentic styles like the Aviator and Wayfarer. With an 80-year history in American pop culture, public figures and celebrities have worn the world-famous Ray-Ban shades as a symbol of self-expression and an effortlessly cool look.
As ambitious as they may seem, Ray-Ban Stories are also yet another example of how Facebook seemingly can’t help but imitate Snapchat, which has been dabbling in smart glasses since 2016. Even their name hearkens back to the social story format that Snap kicked off and was later copied by Facebook, Instagram and pretty much every other social media outfit. But at this point, I don’t think Facebook cares if everyone calls them copycats if it ultimately leads to more engagement. And, well, we know how much Mark Zuckerberg wants to transform it into a “metaverse company.” As with any new device, we have a big responsibility to help people feel comfortable and provide peace of mind, and that goes not only for device owners but the people around them, too.
Eyeglasses.com is different from all other online eyewear companies, because we provide a higher level of service. This includes a Perfect Lenses Guarantee, 30-day full refund on frames and sunglasses, and support through phone, ray ban caravan email, and live chat. These services are expensive, and they are not provided by other online suppliers, so we offer a limited price matching service. When choosing a pair of sunglasses, it all comes down to form and function.