Meta and Ray-Ban have joined forces to introduce an innovative line of augmented smart glasses, seamlessly merging timeless aesthetics with state of the art technology. The Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses represent a fusion of fashion and function, capable of capturing stunning photos and videos, playing music and podcasts, facilitating phone calls, and even live-streaming to various social media platforms. These cutting-edge glasses are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 platform and offer a diverse range of styles, colours, and lens choices.
Improvements over the earlier Ray-Ban Stories model
The new Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses are an enhancements over the earlier Ray-Ban Stories model. Notable improvements include a more comfortable and water-resistant design, superior camera quality with an improved aspect ratio, enhanced audio performance with heightened clarity and volume, and a chic, functional charging case. Additionally, these smart glasses boast a novel feature, enabling users to seamlessly go live on Instagram and Facebook directly through the glasses.
Design is undoubtedly a standout feature of the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses. They exude the iconic style of classic Ray-Ban sunglasses, devoid of any unsightly wires or cumbersome components. The glasses are remarkably lightweight, weighing between 48.6g and 50.8g, depending on the chosen frame style, these glasses offer two frame styles, Wayfarer and Meteor, along with five frame colours: black, brown, blue, green, and tortoise. The Lens preferences can also be tailored, including clear, polarized, gradient, or transition lenses. Furthermore, the glasses are IPX4 water-resistant, ensuring they can withstand splashes and light rain.
The camera functionality of the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses is another standout feature. Equipped with two 12MP ultra-wide cameras on each side of the frame, they capture photos and videos at a resolution of 1440×1920 at 30fps. Image stabilization has been significantly improved for smoother recordings, and the aspect ratio is optimized for seamless social media sharing compared to the previous model. Camera control is simplified through a physical button on the right temple or voice commands. While a discreet white LED light indicates when the camera is active, some users may find it too subtle or easily obscured.
Audio and Battery Life
The audio experience delivered by the smart glasses is also noteworthy. With two open-ear speakers on each temple, they provide loud and crystal-clear sound without isolating the wearer from their surroundings. Minimal audio leakage ensures that nearby individuals won’t hear the user’s audio. Furthermore, the glasses facilitate phone calls with three microphones that effectively capture the user’s voice while minimizing background noise. Audio control can be managed through touch gestures on the right temple or via voice commands.
In terms of battery life and charging convenience, the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses hold their own but could be better. They offer approximately four hours of continuous use on a single charge, and they come accompanied by a sleek leather case that can recharge them up to three times. The case boasts a USB-C port for charging and an LED indicator for battery status, presenting a more elegant and compact design compared to the previous model.
Ability to Live-stream to Instagram and Facebook
The most ground breaking feature of the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses is the ability to live stream directly to Instagram and Facebook. Users can seamlessly connect their glasses to their social media accounts via the Meta app on their smartphone. Initiating a live stream is as simple as uttering “Hey Meta, start live” or pressing and holding the camera button for three seconds. The number of viewers is conveniently displayed on a small LED screen inside the right lens. Ending the live stream is equally straightforward with the command “Hey Meta, stop live” or another press and hold of the camera button.
Cost
It’s however worth noting that the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses may not cater to everyone’s preferences. They come with a premium price tag, retailing at $299 for the standard lens treatment. Additionally, they may not suit those seeking discretion, as wearable cameras might make some individuals uneasy. Nevertheless, the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses represent a harmonious blend of style and functionality, providing some augmented reality features via lens-based information display. It offers a distinctive means to capture and share life’s moments. Ideal for tech-savvy fashion enthusiasts looking to express their creativity. Whilst not without minor drawbacks, the glasses represent a notable advancement in the realm of smart eyewear. Pre-orders are open now on meta.com and ray-ban.com, and the smart glasses will be available for purchase online and in retail stores from October 17 2023.
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