Facebook has finally announced its long-rumored smartglasses in partnership with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica. The $299 Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses are available in 20 different style options and can be connected to an iOS or Android device for full functionality.
Facebook launches Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses
The smart glasses will allow users to capture photos and videos with the two onboard 5 MP cameras, listen to music, and take phone calls, and share photos using voice commands. Images and videos captured on the glasses can be transferred to any iOS or Android device via Facebook’s new View app.
A microsite has been designed by Facebook and Ray-Ban to describe the privacy features in detail. From how users can control their experience, to how their privacy is protected, the site covers everything.
Facebook says the smart glasses let people know when a user is taking a photo or video via a shutter sound and LED light so that no one is caught off guard. “Tampering with this light is against our terms of service,” Facebook says.
The privacy site also states that all the information captured with Ray-Ban Stories and stored in Facebook View belongs to the user and is not used for personalized ads. However, once the media is shared to a third-party app, that app’s terms apply.
Facebook collects data required to make sure your glasses and app are working properly. We also ask for information to offer you better, more personalized products. But you decide whether you want to share that additional data—info like the number of images you capture, time spent taking videos, or the average length of videos.
The site also features a section on how to “wear your smart glasses responsibly” to help “you and those around you feel safe and comfortable while you’re wearing your glasses.” Facebook recommends that users power off the glasses in private spaces like the doctor’s office, locker room, public bathroom, or place of worship. It also suggests that users do not capture images or video when they are driving or while operating heavy machinery.
Most importantly, the social media giant acknowledges the malicious ways in which the glasses may be used stating, “Obey the law. Don’t use your glasses to engage in harmful activities like harassment, infringing on privacy rights, or capturing sensitive information like pin codes.”
The Ray-Ban Stories glasses are available for purchase now starting at $299. Customers have 20 different style options available to choose from.
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