 |
| Ray-Ban smart glasses from Facebook are coming |
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has confirmed that the company's next hardware product will be the launch of the much-anticipated Ray-Ban data glasses.
Digital advertising dominates the company's booming business. But it also has physical ambitions beyond virtual reality.
We don't know when the drinks will arrive. Previous reports indicate that it could start in 2021. But the pandemic changed the plans of many companies and Zuckerberg did not comment on the schedule.
Looking ahead, the next product launch will be the first Ray-Ban data glasses to be launched in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the CEO said.
"The glasses have their own unique shapes and they allow you to do really cool things," he added. So I am very pleased to be able to make it available to people and continue to lead the future journey of full augmented reality glasses.
The company previously confirmed that the glasses do not have a built-in display and are not classified as an augmented reality device.
It's unclear whether the glasses can make voice calls or use smart assistants.
There's no built-in display, but the glasses are supposed to be controlled via a paired smartphone app, similar to Amazon's Snaps Spectacles or Echo Frames.
Zuckerberg sees the introduction of Ray-Ban data glasses as part of Facebook's journey into the future of full augmented reality glasses.
The company has been researching this type of device for a long time. Thanks to the efforts of the research department of the Aria project, prototypes of augmented reality glasses were made.
Ray-Ban glasses from Facebook are coming
Augmented reality glasses are an important part of Facebook's new plan to create the Metaverse. Metaverse is a multimedia technology platform that integrates virtual and physical spaces for shopping, work and socializing.
Facebook uses the metaverse to sell more ads. “Advertising is always an important part of that strategy,” Zuckerberg said. It could also be an important part of the meta-universe.
The company has spent billions building its shared world that includes its users and digital advertising.
To achieve this, the company needs to buy more people for its IT equipment. Therefore, it is planned to make these devices accessible to everyone.
These glasses have been the subject of rumors since 2019. Facebook is working with EssilorLuxottica, owner of Ray-Ban, to develop augmented reality glasses called Orion.
The glasses are touted as a complete alternative to mobile phones, where you can make phone calls, view messages, and even send a live broadcast.
This has prompted people to compare it to Google Glass (another collaboration with EssilorLuxottica) rather than the restricted Snap Frames.