Ray-Ban smart glasses are an innovative pair of stylish, high-tech sunglasses developed through a partnership between Ray-Ban and Facebook. The Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses were first announced in September 2021 and officially released on September 9, 2021 in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, and Ireland.
The Ray-Ban Stories integrate tiny cameras to capture photos and videos, open-ear speakers to listen to music and take calls, and a companion app to share content. They represent the next evolution in smart eyewear and Ray-Ban’s ongoing legacy of blending technological innovation with fashionable designs.
The History Behind Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
Ray-Ban has been a leader in eyewear technology and style for nearly a century. The company was founded in 1937 and initially made its name selling anti-glare aviator sunglasses to American pilots. Over the decades, Ray-Ban expanded its product line while retaining its reputation for high-performance, stylish eyewear.
The first steps towards Ray-Ban’s smart glasses came in 2012 when they released Bluetooth enabled sunglasses that could pair with smartphones. In 2015, Intel partnered with Oakley to develop Radar Pace smart glasses with fitness tracking capabilities.
Facebook Partnership
In 2021, Ray-Ban parent company EssilorLuxottica partnered with Facebook to develop the Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses line. Facebook was looking to expand into wearable technology and saw an opportunity to integrate their tech expertise with Ray-Ban’s eyewear design heritage.
After months of rumors and leaks, Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses were officially announced on September 9, 2021 via a virtual product launch.They became available for purchase online and in select retail stores later that same day in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia and Ireland. Additional countries received access to Ray-Ban Stories before the end of 2021.
Key Features and Technology
The Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses aim to blend technological capabilities with fashionable style. Here are some of the key features that set them apart:
Integrated Cameras
– Dual integrated 5MP cameras for capturing photos and 30-second videos
– Camera lens on corners of glasses for capturing your perspective
– LED light indicates when recording
Open-Ear Speakers
– Discrete open-ear speakers for audio without blocking ambient sounds
– Listen to music, take calls, hear notifications
– Touch controls on temples to adjust volume, skip tracks, etc.
Snapdragon Processor
– Powered by top-end Snapdragon processor optimized for glasses
– Enables responsive performance for apps and camera
Built-in Storage
– Onboard storage stores up to 30 videos or 500 photos
– Syncs media to Facebook View app and stores encrypted
Long Battery Life
– All-day battery for typical use cases
– Up to 6 hours continuous video recording on full charge
– Fast USB-C charging
Facebook Companion App
– Facebook View app syncs and stores photos/videos
– View app enables sharing content to social platforms
– App provides access to other smart features
Design and Style Choices
Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses aimed to retain the iconic styling the brand is known for. They launched with 20 style variants in a mix of classic and contemporary frames:
| Style | Description |
|---|---|
| Wayfarer | The most recognizable Ray-Ban frame with a classic rectangular shape |
| Round | A vintage circular frame evoking 1960s counterculture style |
| Meteor | An angular rectangular shape with double bridge bar |
| Wayfarer Large | An oversized take on the signature Wayfarer look |
| Aviator | Modeled after the original Ray-Ban Aviator with teardrop shaped lenses |
The frames come in a variety of color and lens options. Consumers can choose polarized, transition, gradient, mirrored or clear lens types. Frame colors include varied transparent, solid, two-toned and tortoiseshell options to match personal style.
Balancing Fashion and Function
Integrating technology into fashionable eyewear designs presents challenges. The Ray-Ban Stories engineering team worked to embed components like speakers and battery into the frame architecture without compromising aesthetics or comfort.
The open-ear speaker design avoids bulky stems protruding. The frames distribute weight to remain balanced. Ray-Ban was able to retain the iconic styling elements of shape, material, and lens style that have defined their most successful models.
Tech Specs and Capabilities
Here is a more detailed technical overview of the integrated hardware powering the Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses:
| Component | Details |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 Platform |
| Operating System | Facebook Augmented OS |
| Speakers | 2 – 3.5mm open-ear speakers |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, capacitive touch |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz |
| Cameras | Dual 5MP cameras, f/2.4 aperture |
| Video Capture | 720p or 1080p at 30fps |
| Photo Resolution | 2592 x 1944 pixels |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 hours continuous video recording at 1080p 30fps |
Key capabilities provided by this hardware and software include:
– Hands-free photo and video capture
– Audio playback and call functionality
– Voice commands via Facebook Assistant
– Sharing content through Facebook View app
– Syncing media with smartphone camera roll
– Receiving notifications from smartphone apps
Privacy Features
With onboard cameras and always-on audio, privacy risks are a major concern with smart glasses. Ray-Ban Stories integrated the following privacy features:
– LED light clearly indicates when cameras are recording
– Hardwired capture prevention when glasses are stored in case
– Strict data usage policies prohibiting personal data mining
– Facebook View app provides granular media access controls
Users have full autonomy over capturing, storing, and sharing decisions. But the always-available cameras raise unavoidable questions over bystander consent.
Pricing and Availability
Ray-Ban Stories launched at $299 in the United States for all style variants. Other regional pricing at launch:
– United Kingdom: £299
– Europe: €329
– Australia: $449 AUD
– Canada: $379 CAD
The integrated technology makes the Stories three times the price of standard Ray-Ban frames. But the pricing aimed for greater affordability than preceding smart glasses like Snap Spectacles.
Bundled accessories include:
– Charging case – provides up to 3 full charges
– Cleaning cloth
– Portable charging cable
– User manual
Replacement lenses are available for $49-$79 depending on options. Consumers can purchase prescription lenses from LensCrafters starting at $99.
The Ray-Ban Stories are available directly through Ray-Ban.com and in select retail stores. As of October 2022, they have expanded to over 20 countries worldwide.
Performance and Reviews
Initial reviews praised Ray-Ban Stories’ ability to blend smart technology into familiar glasses designs. Reviewers welcomed the discreet open-ear speakers and responsive touch controls. They found the Facebook View app straightforward for managing, sharing and exporting content captured on the glasses.
However, battery life consistently falls short of the six hours claimed for continuous recording. Most users got 2-4 hours of typical real-world usage. The underwhelming battery life remains the most common complaint.
The video quality also met some criticism for being lower resolution than competitors and having no stabilization. But reviewers recognized the limitations of the tiny integrated cameras. For spontaneous life logging, the video and photos proved more than usable.
Overall, Ray-Ban Stories scored well for delivering an appealing combination of form and function. The glasses stay true to Ray-Ban’s aesthetics while adding handy smart features through intuitive controls and companion software.
Sales Figures
Ray-Ban has not released any official data on Stories sales figures or units sold. However, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated they were among the best-selling smart glasses to date. Estimates from market analysis firm IDC forecast nearly 1 million units shipped in 2021.
The Stories seem on track to outperform previous smart glasses like the Snap Spectacles 3, which sold approximately 200,000 units after launching in 2019. The Ray-Ban brand recognition is likely a major factor behind the stronger consumer adoption.
Future Outlook
With the Stories still less than two years old, what does the future hold for Ray-Ban’s smart eyewear efforts?
New Product Iterations
Ray-Ban will almost certainly release next generation versions of the Stories improving upon early technical limitations. Expect future upgrades to bring enhanced battery life, higher resolution cameras, and expanded app integration features.
It’s likely Ray-Ban will grow the number of frame styles compatible with their smart technology. Collaborations with other top fashion brands part of their parent company’s portfolio could happen as well.
Expanded Platform Approach
Ray-Ban is poised to expand their smart glasses capabilities into an open platform play. They are already working to integrate the Snapchat camera SDK into Stories.
Supporting more third-party apps and encouraging developer innovation on top of their core hardware has massive potential. Ray-Ban Stories could evolve into the Android equivalent in smart glasses – an open ecosystem united around common technology standards.
AR/VR Convergence
In the long-term, Ray-Ban is in prime position to play a key role as augmented reality glasses converge with virtual reality headsets. Their design identity gives them an advantage as consumers look for stylish options suitable for continuous wear.
Facebook is investing heavily in developing AR/VR technologies under their Reality Labs division. The lessons from Ray-Ban Stories will provide real-world insights to guide development of new and disruptive mixed reality experiences in the years ahead.
Conclusion
Ray-Ban Stories represent a milestone entry in the evolution of smart glasses. They fulfill the long-awaited promise of integrating digital capabilities into fashionable, familiar eyewear designs. With continued improvement and broader platform ambitions, Ray-Ban is poised to help shape the next era of augmented reality technologies through their innovative smart glasses.