Facebook and Ray-ban announced their first ‘’Smart glasses’’ with pair of cameras to capture photos, record videos, microphone, and speakers to listen to a voice assistant and podcasts. The concept is inspired by a younger company Snapchat, which is now in its third generation.
This is not the first time, Facebook got inspiration from Snapchat, and previously, Instagram has introduced revolutionary effects invented by Snapchat founder, Evan Spiegel.
Meanwhile, @evleaks were able to steal the three models Smart glasses ahead of their announcement and leaked them before launch.
Though the Facebook logo can only be seen on the box, the device will be branded as a Ray-Ban first and foremost.
Facebook’s Monisha Perkash, who is leading the product team at the company’s reality Labs division said,
‘’ our mission is to help build tools that will help people feel connected anytime, anywhere. She adds, ‘’we want to create a sense of social presence, the feeling that you’re right there with another person sharing the same space, regardless of physical distance.’’
The company’s vision is to build ‘’ augmented reality’’ glasses that would put a digital layer over reality. Similar to the Google glasses which failed to accomplish the task.
Perkash said, ‘’ as we wait for the technology to be good enough, we’re focused on what we can enable right now. We’re delivering the first pair of smart glasses that blend form and function.’’
Facebook executive, Andrew Bosworth, who heads up Reality labs says that glasses are designed to help people to enjoy and live in the moment. Also, Ray-ban delivers style and substance to redefine the expectations of smart glasses.
He said, ‘’ We are introducing an entirely new way for people to stay connected to the world around them and truly be present in life’s most important moments, and to look good while doing it.’’
The new smart glasses camera would be able to capture five megapixel still images and video up to 30 seconds with a tap of the device’s only button.
It also has open-ear speakers to listen to, and three microphone audio to deliver rich voice. The microphones will let the glasses be controlled by voice or a hands-free experience.
The glasses are on sale now for £299/$299, also the company talked about privacy and said,
‘’ That’s why we baked privacy directly into the product design and functionality of the full experience, from the start, for example, we have hardware protections like a power switch to turn off the cameras and microphones, as well as capture LED hardwired to the camera that shines a white light when you’re taking photos or videos to notify people nearby.’’
However, it’s not about the privacy that would help in the sale of the product but the glasses themselves.
Perkash says ‘’we believe that this will be the first pair of smart glasses people will truly want to wear’’.