Facebook releases Ray-Ban smart glasses
Category: Health, Science & Technology
Via: perrie-halpern • 3 years ago • 27 commentsBy: Haley Messenger
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Sept. 9, 2021, 4:07 PM UTC / Updated Sept. 10, 2021, 12:46 AM UTC By Haley Messenger
Facebook is joining the connected fashion field and adding a new product to its hardware lineup: smart glasses.
The social media giant announced Thursday that it is launching Ray-Ban Stories, a line of glasses in partnership with EssilorLuxottica that allow people to take calls, listen to music and capture videos and photos to post online.
The gadget is the newest effort by a major tech company to break into what has been a challenging niche, coming after Snapchat's Spectacles, released in 2016, and Google's Glass, released in 2013.
But Facebook has maintained in recent years that the future of social media and the internet will be about breaking down any barriers between real life and the connected world, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg promoting the company's efforts to push into virtual reality.
The new glasses do not have virtual reality capability, but they are aimed at reducing those barriers.
"So many of our experiences we're given this choice of either living in the moment and enjoying it or memorializing that moment, staying connected with others, and we believe this is fundamentally a false choice," said Matthew Simari, director of product at Facebook's Reality Labs. "And our goal is really about helping people stay more present and connected."
The glasses, which cost $299, go on sale Thursday. They include dual 5-megapixel cameras, speakers on each temple that can be used as open-air headphones, a capture button, a touchpad, a power button and a trio of microphones. The device is compatible with Facebook Assistant, giving users the opportunity to capture moments through voice command and make others around them aware of what is happening.
Simari said the hands-free technology feature, in addition to high-contrast frame colors and an LED light that turns on when the camera is activated, is "really critical to giving the people around you agency to understand what's happening and be as in control as you are in that situation."
He further emphasized the new device's themes of privacy, trust and transparency by adding that "the data that Facebook collects is really about just making sure that the glasses are functioning properly." For example, that includes information like errors and crashes, log-in information and battery status. Separately, users have the option during initial setup to opt in or out of additional sharing for other data, like the number of photos taken.
With their new glasses, users will be able to share the content they capture to apps like Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, TikTok and Snapchat. The glasses have Bluetooth technology for those who want to make calls and listen to music or podcasts.
Ray-Ban Stories, which come with a portable charging case, are available in three styles: Wayfarer (or Wayfarer Large), Meteor and Round. The smart glasses are similar in structure to their originals, weighing only 5 grams more than a tech-free pair of Wayfarers.
"We are not building technology that just happens to look like glasses. We're building glasses that happen to have technology," Simari said.
Facebook's hardware roster already includes its Oculus Quest virtual reality system and the Portal video calling smart screen. Zuckerberg touted the release of the smart glasses in an earnings call in June, telling analysts and members of the media that he was excited "to continue to make progress on the journey towards full augmented reality glasses in the future."
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Isn't this kind of approaching SPAM?
Pretty close!
Well, as I'm sure you're aware..."pretty close" ain't exactly the same as actually being there...
Isn't this kind of approaching SPAM?
I know of two definitions os SPAM-- and this definitely isn't one of them!
So now you've gotten me curious-- what exactly do you mean by "Spam"? (AKA "SPAM").
Advertising
Would be neat to try, but I already wear glasses so my question would be: Do they come in prescription form?
WTF???
Probably a extra $1,000.00.
Probably not.
Hint: Google Is Your Friend as well!
If they can't improve the user's spelling and grammar, I am not interested.
Most smart glasses out today do have an option for prescription lenses. Considering these are from Ray Ban it's probably a sure thing, but it may take time for Lens Crafters or EyeMart Express to have them in stock.
Personally I'm not impressed with these Facebook glasses. They pretty much don't do anything but keep you connected to Facebook. We'll see next year what Apple glasses do, but they wouldn't be available for purchase until 2023 and is reported to be about $499.99 + prescription cost. Early leaks also talk about Apple VR and mixed reality geared toward gaming and entertainment apps, but need to be paired with an iPhone for processing. Compare this to the Microsoft Hololens 2 which cost $3.5k and the Vuzix Blade at $799.
Edit: I was just reading more on the Apple glasses and one of the filed Apple patents explains that it automatically adjust for poor user eyesite by an "optical subassembly" whatever that means.
Auto focus for your eyes.. No ! That's not what I want to focus on... That either... probably would follow the pupil to see which direction you are looking, concentrating on. I know that the auto focus on cameras has improved over the years, and to be able to focus on any point,... Hell, I haven't been able to do that for 45 years.
an "optical subassembly" whatever that means.
Not of interest to me because I don't intend to buy any of these.
Not yet...
I have always been amazed by advances nin technology.
Years ago (in High School) my main hobby was photography. And when I did close-up I had to use a variety of adds ons-- "Close-up Lenses"). I was using an SLR, and it took a while to get very close objects in focus.
Recently someone asked me to send them a close-up of a particular piece of jewelry I owned, as my verbal description wasn't adequate. My first thought was that since it would be an extreme close-up, focusing would be a hassle.
Well-- it wasn't! I just aimed my phone and clicked. The results amazed me-- not only in focus but the detail was amazing!
Over time technology improves to an amazing degree!
Rarely is something created perfectly the first time.
So then rather than harshly criticizing innovation-- I have to give credit to these innovators for taking the first steps.
IMO this pretty is pretty cool-- given what came before it. And there's not the slightest doubt in my mind that over time various amazing improvements will be made!
GIYF!
All of my sunglasses and reading glasses have lost me, these should prove to be no different ... they're as ungrateful as watches and run off with my socks.
I have a whole draw full of socks for the left foot. All the socks for the right foot have mysteriously gone missing.
I have a whole draw full of socks for the left foot. All the socks for the right foot have mysteriously gone missing.
Well obviously you're buying the wrong kind of socks-- perhaps in the future you should buy ambi-destrous socks.
(Or is the correct word "ambipedal"? or perhaps "ambisinistrous"??)
Might cost you an extra $1000/pr, eh?
Talking about glasses that lose you, when you get older the opposite happens - last time I lost my glasses my wife told me I was wearing them.
[Deleted] that I feel somewhat peeved at myself for laughing at your comment. I just couldn't help it, though. It was hilarious.
Lol, here's another technological marvel I won't be buying
Lol, here's another technological marvel I won't be buying
That's what they said when the first mobile phones came out!
1940:
1942:
Of course over time the trend is for technologies to get a lot smaller, lighter, and faster.
This one is from 1973:
Still ain't buyin' it?
Well, here's an interesting article on the subject:
The Incredible 70-Year Evolution Of The Cell Phone
Lol, still ain't gonna buy it
These days pre-teens wear wrist phones.
Ha!!