First smart glasses launched by FB in association with Ray-Ban

First smart glasses launched by FB in association with Ray-Ban

In partnership with Ray-Ban, Facebook has launched its first smart glasses, Ray-Ban Stories. Ray-Ban Stories has an integrated 5MP camera and users will be able to record 30-second videos.

The communiqué shared by Facebook said that the smart glasses will give an "authentic way to capture photos and video, share adventures and listen to music or take phone calls — so you can stay present with friends, family and the world around you".

Ray-Ban Stories comes in five colours and 20 style combinations — including Wayfarer, Wayfarer Large, Round, and Meteor.

With the integrated 5MP cameras, users can capture spontaneous moments from a unique first-person perspective. There will be hard-wired LED lights to indicate to people nearby when someone is taking photos or videos. With the hands-free video capturing feature, users can record 30-second videos using Facebook Assistance voice commands or the capture button.

Richer voice will be delivered through the built-in open-ear speakers and richer sound transmission for calls and videos by the three-microphone audio array in the smart glasses. A noise suppression algorithm will enhance the calling experience. The new Facebook View app will allow users to share their point of view, stories, and memories seamlessly with friends and social media followers. "The Facebook View app on iOS and Android makes it easy to import, edit and share content captured on the smart glasses to apps on your phone including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat, and more," read the official statement of Facebook.

Content can also be saved to the user's own phone's camera roll and edited and shared from there. Facebook View's new exclusive built-in post-capture enhancements will allow users to create unique content to put a special spin on their posts, the statement from facebook said.

A portable specially-designed charging case will come with Ray-Ban Stories which allows users charge the device on the go. The price starts at nearly Rs 22,000. The smart glass can be purchased online an also select retail stores in US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy and the UK.

However, experts fear the device can be widely used in surveillance as if you click a photo of someone nearby using the smart glass, a white light from the capture LED hardwired to the camera will notify the person.

The FB statement read, "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. That's why we baked privacy directly into the product design and functionality of the full experience, from the start."