Facebook and Ray-Ban united in the development of a pair of latest generation smart glasses: Ray-Ban Stories. Will the metaverse have something to do with it?
Facebook, Inc. and Ray-Ban launch Ray-Ban Stories, the latest generation smart glasses. The long-awaited collaboration brings with it a completely new concept of photography, sharing and listening in the most authentic moments of life. Mark Zuckerberg and Rocco Basilico they made the announcement in virtual mode, telling the details of the collaboration and the incredible potential of the product.
Ray-Ban Stories: smart glasses are back on the scene
The protagonists of the Ray-Ban Stories line, with an unmistakable and iconic style since the 50s, are the Wayfarer and Wayfarer Large models. Facebook and EssilorLuxottica, parent company of Ray-Ban, have been able to develop a smart technology that can be worn comfortably even all day long: the integrated Snapdragon processor, in fact, it does not compromise in any way the style, comfort, aesthetics, nor the weight, which exceeds that of the normal Ray-Ban Wayfarer by only 5 grams. Ray-Ban Stories integrate a 5 MP dual camera with photo and video functionality, very discreet open-ear headphones and an audio system consisting of three microphones to reproduce high quality sound and voice during phone calls and videos. The Ray-Ban Stories are available in a wide range of models, including the legendary Ray-Ban Round, for a retro style, or the legendary Meteor. A product that adds a touch of panache to everyday style, starting with 299 USD (369 CAD, 329 EUR, 299 GBP, 449 AUD) and available with various types of lenses: sunglasses, prescription, polarized, gradient, Transitions and neutral.
L’app Facebook View
In addition to offering an iconic design and innovative technological content, the Ray-Ban Stories will be launched together with a supplementary app, Facebook View (for iOS and Android), which will be used to import, modify and share in a simple way the contents acquired with the smart glassess, with the possibility of uploading them to all the social apps installed on the smartphone: Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat and many more. Rocco Basilico, Chief Wearables Officer of EssilorLuxottica, says:
We are very proud to have brought Ray-Ban Stories to life together with our Facebook partners. This product represents a game changer and demonstrates that consumers are not forced to choose between technology and fashion: they can fully experience every moment and stay connected, all this while wearing their favorite Ray-Bans. Our unique approach, which combines decades of excellent craftsmanship, a spirit of innovation and a commitment to offering only cutting-edge technologies, has allowed us to create wearable devices that everyone will love to wear.
Andrew Bosworth, Vice President of Facebook Reality Labs, comments:
Ray-Ban Stories was created to help people live every moment by staying in touch with both those who accompany them and those who are distant. EssilorLuxottica was a phenomenal partner to say the least and, thanks to its commitment to excellence, we were able to create an elegant and quality product capable of redefining expectations in the field of smart glasses. We are launching a whole new way to stay in touch with the world and live intensely the most important moments of life, without sacrificing style.
The Ray-Ban Stories will be on sale at Ray-Ban stores and on the ray-ban.com website starting September 9 in the US, UK, Spain, Australia, Ireland and Canada. From 13 September they will also be available at some Luxottica stores including SunglassHut, LensCrafters, OPSM, David Clulow and Salmoiraghi & Viganò, followed by selected wholesale stores.
