Today Meta announced that they are rolling out Ray-Ban Stories, their smart glasses which launched last year in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, in four new countries. Starting at €329, Ray-Ban Stories will be available online and in select retail stores in Spain, Austria, and Belgium beginning March 17, and in France beginning April 14.
The Ray-Ban Stories feature dual integrated 5MP cameras which let you take photos and videos hands-free using your voice or the glasses’ built-in capture button. The glasses also have built-in streamlined, open-ear speakers, as well as a three-microphone audio array that delivers rich voice and sound transmission for calls and videos. Using the Facebook View app for iOS or Android, you can easily import, edit, and share your photos or videos to Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter, and others.
New color combinations and software features
Ray-Ban Stories were initially launched in US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, and the UK last September. Today’s launch also brings new color and lens variations, and software features, including the ability to use voice commands in French and Italian in all markets.
The 4 new colours, launching in April, include Round Shiny Black with Gray Transitions, Round Shiny Black with Brown Transitions, Wayfarer Matte Black with Gray Transitions and Wayfarer Shiny Black with Brown Transitions. This means that all told, Ray-Ban Stories will be available in 28 different variations. You can visit Ray Ban’s Instagram Shop now to virtually try them on through a special Spark AR effect and see how each style looks on you.
New software features include:
- Ray-Ban Stories will be able to record up to 60 seconds of video. The glasses were previously limited to a maximum of 30 seconds. You’ll be able to toggle between 30 and 60 seconds as the max recording length in the Facebook View app settings in an update coming in April.
- In April Meta will begin rolling out the ability to use voice commands in French and Italian for a hands-free experience in those languages, and you’ll be able to use voice commands to take photos and videos from your glasses as well as to check the status of your battery and storage. (Currently available in English, and will be available in Italian and French soon).
- In December Meta added the ability to make phone calls, send messages, and hear message readouts using your voice via Messenger, and control media playing on your glasses. (Available in English).
- The Facebook View app will now be available in French, Spanish, Dutch, and German.
Privacy is built-in
The Ray-Ban Stories will now be available in 10 countries, and Meta says they are working to add more over time in the right way – with local languages and customer support.
Check out the Rayban Stores at Rayban’s online store here.
