Ray-Ban (smart glasses)

2021

FSB ranked Facebook smart glasses as spy devices

In October 2021, it became known about the position of the FSB regarding Facebook Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses: the service ranked the device as spy, so their users may face responsibility.

These glasses may have design features that allow them to be classified as special technical means intended for secretly obtaining information, the FSB press service said.

FSB ranked Facebook smart glasses as spy devices

The service did not specify by what particular signs the device can be attributed to espionage, stating that these signs are listed in note 1 to article 138.1 of the Criminal Code (illegal trafficking of special equipment intended for secretly obtaining information). The note to the article contains a definition of such devices - devices, tools of the system or programs "for access to information and (or) obtaining information from technical means of its storage, processing and (or) transfer, which are intentionally given the properties to provide the function of hidden acquisition of information or access to it without the knowledge of its owner."

According to Art. 138.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, technical means are not considered spy if they are in free circulation, and also if they have visible controls for recording audio, video, photo or geolocation functions, an indicator that displays use modes, and appropriate marking.

For the illegal production, acquisition and sale of special equipment intended for secretly obtaining information, may face imprisonment of up to four years.

Two front cameras are mounted in the arms of Facebook Ray-Ban Stories glasses, which will allow you to shoot photos and videos. You can start shooting by pressing the button on the glasses themselves or the voice command. When recording on glasses, the LED will light up so that people nearby know that a person in glasses does not secretly produce photos or video shooting.^[1]

The announcement of smart glasses that allow you to call and shoot videos

On September 9, 2021, Facebook introduced the first smart glasses in its assortment. They allow you to call and shoot videos.

A device called Ray-Ban Stories received a pair of 5-MP cameras built into the frame next to the lenses - during the shooting of photos or videos lasting up to 30 seconds, an LED lights up to alert others about recording. You can start shooting by pressing the button on the phone or the voice command "Hey, Facebook, take a photo/video."

Miniature speakers and microphones are integrated into the arches, which allow you to listen to music, as well as make voice calls. You can store and edit photos and videos taken on Ray-Ban Stories using a special Facebook View application.

Facebook introduced smart glasses that allow you to call and shoot videos

The developers declare 6 hours of battery life of the glasses, full charging is carried out in an hour. The battery of the case that goes in the kit allows you to charge the entire glasses three times. A Facebook account is mandatory for using glasses, but the company does not analyze what the user removes and does not use this data, for example, for advertising.

The Verge journalist tested the glasses. According to him, the synchronization of the footage in the View application took only a few seconds through Wi-Fi. Cameras can capture just over three dozen video clips or about 500 photos before the device's memory fills. Ray-Ban Stories look and feel like ordinary glasses, the reporter noted.

The price for points is $299 (by September 9, 2021). So far, you can buy them in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy and Australia. They promise to put the device in other countries later.

Ray-Ban Stories are presented in three versions: Wayfarer, Meteor and Round. Regular or sunscreen lenses can be inserted into the glasses.^[2]

2020: Development of Ray-Ban Smart Glasses

September 17, 2020 it became known that Facebook together with the developer of luxury optics EssilorLuxottica he will be engaged in the production of "smart" glasses of a new generation. This was announced by the head of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg during the annual Facebook Connect conference, which in connection with coronavirus COVID-19 is held in 2020 in virtual mode.

As part of the partnership, the companies intend to use Facebook technologies, Luxottica's market position, as well as Essilor lens technologies. It is known that the first product under the Ray-Ban brand, according to the plans of the companies, will appear in 2021. This solution "will unite the best of both worlds - innovative technologies and current style," as a result of which smart glasses will appear that consumers will definitely like.

Andrew Bosworth, vice president of Facebook Reality Labs, said:

We are passionate about learning devices that can give people more convenient ways to connect with the closest people. With the help of accessories, we can achieve our goal. We have an ambitious EssilorLuxottica partner who will share his experience and a catalog of world-class brands to create the first truly fashionable smart glasses.

Facebook and luxury optics manufacturer EssilorLuxottica have created a brand for producing smart glasses

According to TechCrunch, smart glasses are part of the Facebook Reality Labs research initiative on augmented reality technologies Project Aria. Company employees test Project Aria devices at work, home and public places. Devices are capable of capturing video, audio, tracking the user's location and eye movement. These developments will help developers when creating smart glasses with EssilorLuxottica.

The company did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction, but Facebook expects many years of cooperation. The name of the new smart glasses, their technical characteristics, as well as the cost and other details, will be known later, as expected, before the launch of the new product in 2021.^[3][4]

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