Facebook Debuts Ray-Ban Smart Glasses With 5MP Cameras & In-Frame Speakers

By Alexa Heah, 10 Sep 2021

Image via Facebook / Ray-Ban

Facebook has finally unveiled its highly-anticipated smart glasses—teaming up with luxury eyewear brand Ray-Ban to offer stylish eyewear.

With just the pair of sunglasses on their faces, users will be able to snap pictures and record videos with the dual 5MP cameras.

Other highlights include being able to listen to music on-the-go with the in-frame speakers, and answer phone calls without having to reach for your phone.

In order to access the full range of functions, the smart glasses need to be paired with an iOS or Android device. However, users can still take and store hundreds of images, or tens of videos, before having to transfer them to their smartphones.

Along with the glasses, Facebook has also launched an accompany View app, which will allow users to edit their photos and videos in post-production, even adding amazing 3D effects.

Facebook’s glasses are pretty easy on the eye, available in three classic Ray-Ban styles, and a variety of hues. It weighs less than 50 grams (1.7 ounces), and has a battery that can last an entire day — so you won’t have to whip out the charging case while you’re out and about.

According to TechCrunch, there are also physical buttons to help users control functions more easily. There’s a “capture” button to record media, as well as a touch pad on the right for users to adjust the volume of the speakers.

It might seem a little unsettling that wearers could go around with normal-looking sunglasses, secretly recording everyone around them. To combat this, a white LED will glow on the glasses when the camera is in use, so people around the wearer know a video is being recorded.

The Ray-Ban Stories start from US$299, and are compatible with prescription and polarized lenses. They aren’t waterproof, however, so it’s advised to take them off if you’re caught in the rain.

They’re now available for purchase online and in select retail stores across the US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, and the UK.

Take a look at the glasses below.