The Meta team is deeply committed to making augmented reality and virtual reality hardware accessible, regardless of your feelings. Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly said the Quest 2, the new $1,500 Quest Pro, and Ray-Ban Stories are just stepping stones. It’s not because Ray-Ban Stories have XR that they’re better than regular $163 Wayfarer sunglasses. Additionally, the two cameras raise privacy concerns that the average glasses wearer would never consider.
It has nothing to do with technology. Instead, Ray-Ban Stories have buttons, look familiar, and are fun to wear. If this is your first smart glasses, you can put aside the price and privacy concerns. Let’s find out the answer to the question, “Should I buy Ray-Ban Stories?”
Ray-Ban Stories Review
Experience wearing it
It is perhaps unsurprising that Ray-Ban has made a pair of smart glasses. Ray-Ban is one of its most iconic brands, thanks to its unique shape and the stars who wear them. Meta doesn’t need to sell fashion—Ray-Ban Stories look like Ray-Ban glasses.
Ray-Ban Stories have less flexible hinges than Echo Frames or Razer Anzu smart Spectacular. They’re also ever so slightly heavier, though not enough to be annoying. It’s also thicker on the temples to house the high-tech internals and touchpads but not so bulky that anyone will notice. It’s a stark contrast to Snap’s Spectacles, which “celebrate” the camera with two 5-megapixel cameras. The Spectacles 3 draw attention to the camera with raised rims and circular flashing lights.
On the right side, an LED indicates Ray-Ban Storie’s connectivity or battery condition. The charging connector is almost impossible to see when the smart glasses are unfolded.
It lasts about 5 hours with casual use (Meta estimates six), but it also comes with three additional charges. Due to the extra battery life, the case may not fit in your pants but in jacket pockets. Adding a battery makes the Ray-Ban Stories last longer, though capturing photos or videos uses more power.
Audio and Camera
Meta has taken care of all the details, so you can easily use Ray-Ban Stories. Your iPhone or Android phone connects to the smart glasses via the Facebook View app.
The Ray-Ban Stories speakers will play any audio on your phone. It has swipeable volume controls, a built-in Facebook Assistant, and quick access to photos, videos, and calls. You can record photos or videos with an accompanying LED light on the outside (and a brief audible capture sound). After you’re done, you open up the Facebook View app and add whatever photos or videos you want to download. The View app transfers everything to your phone and Ray-Ban glasses via Wi-Fi. It works well.
There are only two “open air” speakers and a three-mic array for calls or talking to Facebook Assistant.
The two cameras on the Ray-Ban spectacular are similarly good. The camera quality is similar to the iPhone 4. Taking a picture by talking or pressing the shutter button is convenient.
Software
The Facebook View app is as straightforward as the smart glasses it’s paired with. In addition to syncing and updating firmware, Ray-Ban glass footage can be processed using the View app.
A button in the corner lets you sync photos between your Ray-ban glass and your phone. Tapping on a photo or video opens up a bunch of editing features. You can trim, crop, adjust brightness and saturation, and create a montage from photos and videos. With a quick “Hey Facebook,” you can access all the Ray-Ban glasses functionality.
Should I buy Ray-Ban Stories or not?
The glasses cost $299, and that’s without a prescription. If a typical pair of Ray-Ban spectaculars cost over $100, it’s hard to justify the jump to nearly $300. In September 2021, meta started offering smart glasses, but they might not be worth buying now, given their release date.
Meta has no access to your Ray-Ban Stories media without your consent. Meta can save recordings for Facebook Assistant voice processing based on how often you use Facebook View. The app’s privacy rules apply once the app shares anything with another social network. Whether you trust Meta is a personal matter, though.
Final Words
Ray-Ban Stories is a first-generation product, and newer models will likely offer improved features and prices. Ultimately, EssilorLuxottica and Meta have committed to making more smart glasses together. You can buy them now and get a good experience, but if you wait, next year might be even better.
Source:
- “Ray-Ban Stories Review: Now This Is How You Make Smart Glasses.” Inverse, 27 Oct. 2022, www.inverse.com/gear/ray-ban-stories-review-meta-best-smart-glasses-available.
