Facebook and Ray-Ban unveil smart glasses collaboration

Facebook and Ray-Ban have unveiled their smart glasses collaboration, known as Ray-Ban Stories.

The smart glasses include a dual-integrated 5 megapixel camera to capture photo and video, open speakers for sound, and a three-microphone audio array for voice and sound transmission for calls and videos.

Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and EssilorLuxottica's Rocco Basilico unveiled the new glasses, which include the eyewear company's classic Wayfarer and Wayfarer Large, Round and Meteor. They can be used with lenses for the sun, prescription lenses, polarised, gradient, transitions and clear lenses.

The glasses, which use an optimised Snapdragon processor, weigh only 5g more than the standard Wayfarer glasses.

First look: Hands-on with Ray-Ban’s new camera glasses

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“We are incredibly proud to bring Ray-Ban Stories to life with our partners at Facebook,” said Mr Basilico, chief wearables officer for Ray-Ban parent company 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.”

Live in the moment

The glasses are marketed as helping people to live in the moment rather than through the lens on their camera phone. Photos and videos can be captured at the touch of a button, or through voice commands with Facebook Assistant.

Footage can be imported and edited via the Facebook View companion app, and uploaded on any social app stored on your phone, including non-Facebook apps such as TikTok.

"EssilorLuxottica has been nothing short of stellar in this partnership and through their commitment to excellence we were able to deliver on both style and substance in a way that will redefine the expectations of smart glasses," said Andrew Bosworth, vice president, Facebook Reality Labs. "We're introducing an entirely new way for people to stay connected to the world around them and truly be present in life's most important moments, and to look good while doing it."

The glasses are available for €329 from Ray-Ban stores and its website from September 9th in Ireland, Britain, Italy, Australia and Canada, and from selected retailers including Sunglass Hut from September 13th.