Ray-Ban Stories vs. Snapchat Spectacles: Who desires Facebook on their face? | Engadget

Facebook just lately launched its first wearable: Ray-Ban Stories, good sun shades with cameras, microphones and audio system inbuilt.If that sounds acquainted, it is likely to be as a result of the glasses are fairly much like what Snapchat has been doing for the final 5 years with Spectacles. Even the title, Ray-Ban Stories, looks like an enormous subtweet at Snap. But regardless of its head begin, Spectacles have but to be an enormous hit for the corporate. And, with a $300 price ticket and Facebook’s title on the field, Ray-Ban Stories can also show to be a troublesome promote.

Both Spectacles and Ray-Ban Stories symbolize one thing a lot larger to the social media firms that made them. Snapchat and Facebook are hoping to outline the way forward for augmented actuality, and are betting that camera-enabled sun shades will assist them get there.

But look intently, and the businesses have taken very completely different approaches. While Ray-Ban Stories look fairly near common Wayfarers, Spectacles have by no means seemed like a typical pair of sun shades. Snapchat has additionally been extra bold about integrating its augmented actuality results into the glasses. And the corporate just lately started experimenting with a brand new set of Specs which can be able to actual AR, although they aren’t on the market.

Non-AR “smart glasses” are nonetheless a distinct segment product, however Ray-Ban Stories is likely to be the most effective iterations but. The frames make it straightforward to seize first-person images and movies, and the built-in audio system sound surprisingly good. Most importantly, they appear extra like designer sun shades than a bit of tech. But Facebook’s popularity is difficult to disregard, particularly if you’re sporting a digital camera it designed in your precise face.

But if you happen to’re enthusiastic about the way forward for augmented actuality, and what someday is likely to be potential, each Ray-Ban Stories and Spectacles supply an intriguing have a look at how two of the most important social media platforms are interested by getting there.