In May 2023, Facebook parent company Meta announced a slew of software updates for its collection of smart sunglasses: Ray-Ban Stories. Originally released in 2021, these sunnies initially received mixed reviews. Some users considered the innovative collaboration to simply be chunky glasses that were, more often than not, inconvenient to wear. Many others, however, called it a feat of engineering prowess and a promising step towards eyewear providing full-fledged AR experiences.
With the latest updates for Ray-Ban Stories, members of the digital community have been anticipating the promised improvements. Read on to learn more about how Ray-Ban Stories works and how Meta’s new updates aim to enhance the user experience.
Understanding Ray-Ban Stories
This innovative collaboration between Ray-Ban and Facebook revolutionised the wearable tech industry. Blending legendary Meta technology and Ray-Ban’s iconic style, these smart glasses allow users to capture photos and videos, listen to music, and make calls. All the while, the functionality of the glasses allow you to shield your eyes from sun exposure using Ray-Ban’s collection of sun and light-intelligent lenses. Aside from blocking UV rays, these lenses use polarised coatings and Contrast Enhancement Technology to provide improved visual definition and clarity.
The frames on Ray-Ban Stories also come in three timeless shapes. These include the iconic Wayfarer, which has endured the rock ‘n’ roll in the ‘60s all the way to being front and centre of hip-hop culture in the modern day. The fusion of art, fashion, and technology in Ray-Ban Stories has therefore attracted a diverse audience, from millennials seeking a cutting-edge accessory to design enthusiasts who appreciate the seamless integration of form and function.
Market reaction and notable features
When it first launched, one of the standout features of Ray-Ban Stories was the way it integrated its discreet front-facing cameras and microphones. This distinguished the product from the Snapchat Spectacles by offering a more complete experience with capture, audio technology, sharing and a smart assistant.
Otherwise, Ray-Ban Stories’ unobtrusive design and compatibility with classic frames have seamlessly integrated them into everyday fashion — much unlike the odd-looking Google Glass smart glasses that received negative public reactions and was discontinued in May 2023. This “normal” design of Ray-Ban Stories empowered users to express their individuality. However, the same characteristic has also been posited to be why the product remained largely invisible on the market since 2021.
The Latest Ray-Ban Stories update
Meta hasn’t expressed worry about Ray-Ban Stories thus far, with a spokesperson telling Quartz they’ve been “very pleased with user reception to date.” With the latest Ray-Ban Stories update, experts believe the positive consumer buzz around the product will grow exponentially.
Media commentators suggest that the latest update may have finally put the “smart” in “smart glasses” for Ray-Ban Stories. With the enhancement of voice control, it now allows all wearers to use their voice to create and reply to texts, answer or ignore calls, and even start and reply to messages in WhatsApp or Messenger. These features have significant implications for accessibility among people with fine-motor delays — thereby expanding the smart glasses’ potential target market.
Otherwise, Meta accounts will henceforth be required to use Ray-Ban Stories and its Facebook View companion app. With a Meta account, users can link their Facebook or Instagram to the glasses to immediately share any content online that’s been captured hands-free with their eyes and voice. This way, they can record what they see while remaining in the moment. This particular update may be especially appealing to travel enthusiasts and explorers who hope to stay connected.
Ray-Ban Stories has captivated art, design, lifestyle, and travel enthusiasts with its unique blend of fashion and technology. With the latest update, we can expect Ray-Ban Stories’ to continue shaping how we experience and document our lives.
