RAY-BAN (IN META)

Ray-Ban is a brand of luxury sunglasses and eyeglasses created in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb. The brand is best known for its Wayfarer and Aviator lines of sunglasses. In 1999, Bausch & Lomb sold the brand to Italian eyewear conglomerate Luxottica Group for a reported $640 million..

Little History About Ray-Ban

In 1929, US Army Air Corps Colonel John A. Macready worked with Bausch & Lomb, a Rochester, New York–based medical equipment manufacturer, to create aviation sunglasses that would reduce the distraction for pilots caused by the intense blue and white hues of the sky.
Specifically, MacCready was concerned that pilots' goggles would fog up, greatly reducing visibility at high altitude. The prototype, created in 1936 and known as "Anti-Glare", had plastic frames and green lenses that could cut out the glare without obscuring vision. The name "Ray-Ban" was hence derived from the ability of these glasses to limit the ingress of either ultra-violet or infra-red rays of light. Impact-resistant lenses were added in 1938. The sunglasses were redesigned with a metal frame the following year and patented as the Ray-Ban Aviator. According to the BBC, the glasses used "Kalichrome lenses designed to sharpen details and minimise haze by filtering out blue light, making them ideal for misty conditions."

Product Lines

Ray-Ban's most popular sunglasses are the Wayfarer, Erika, and Aviator models. During the 1950s, Ray-Ban released the Echelon (Caravan), which had a squarer frame. In 1965, the Olympian I and II were introduced; they became popular when Peter Fonda wore them in the 1969 film Easy Rider. The company has also produced special edition lines, such as The General in 1987, bearing similarity to the original aviators worn by General Douglas MacArthur during the Second World War. In the 1980s the Ray-Ban Clubmaster was added to the model line. The Clubmaster has a browline frame and went on to become the third best selling sunglasses style of the 1980s, behind the Wayfarer and Aviator.
In 2007, Luxottica Group launched Ray-Ban Youth, a collection of prescription eyewear aimed at children ages eight through twelve. Modeled after popular adult Ray-Bans styles, these hypoallergenic titanium frames featured both neutral and bold colorways as well as sturdy flex hinges.
In 2009, Luxottica released the Ray-Ban Tech collection, which included the Carbon Fibre line. This line of sunglasses were factory stress-tested and designed to be durable and lightweight, and featured polarized lenses of polycarbonate or crystal.
On the brand's website, Ray-Ban also offers the option to customize and purchase individual pairs of many of their popular styles, giving buyers express choice between frames, lenses, and engraving, among other options.
In 2021, Ray-Ban commercialized a model of smart glasses that they developed with Facebook Reality Labs called Ray-Ban Stories. Building on recent trends of wearable technology, the glasses feature a built-in camera and Bluetooth earphones. Like other wearable, camera-equipped tech, Ray-Ban Stories have come under scrutiny for their susceptibility to privacy issues and potential for misuse.

Ray-Ban In Meta

As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, Ray-Ban, in collaboration with Facebook's parent company Meta, had announced the release of "Ray-Ban Stories" – smart glasses designed to integrate various technological functionalities while resembling traditional Ray-Ban sunglasses.

Features of Ray-Ban Stories:

1. Camera and Audio: These smart glasses come equipped with cameras and built-in speakers, allowing users to capture photos, short videos, and audio. The cameras are discreetly placed on the frames, enabling hands-free capturing of moments from the wearer's perspective.
2. Connectivity and Sharing: Users can pair the glasses with their smartphones via Bluetooth and use the accompanying app to manage captured media. This integration allows for easy sharing on social media platforms directly from the glasses.
3. Voice Control: Ray-Ban Stories are compatible with voice assistants, enabling users to control certain functions through voice commands.
4. Design and Privacy: The design of these smart glasses resembles classic Ray-Ban sunglasses, focusing on aesthetics to make the technology less conspicuous. Concerns around privacy have also been addressed, with features such as LED indicators indicating when the camera is in use and a physical switch to disable recording and audio.

Potential Use Cases:

• Capture Moments: Users can capture hands-free photos and videos, making it convenient for documenting experiences while being present in the moment.
• Social Sharing: Seamless integration with social media platforms allows for quick sharing of content captured through the glasses.
• Augmented Reality (AR) Integration: While the initial release might not have extensive AR capabilities, future iterations or updates could integrate AR functionalities, aligning with Meta's vision for the metaverse.

Public Reception and Concerns:

Upon their release, there were discussions about the privacy implications of wearable cameras and the potential for these devices to infringe on personal privacy. The discreet nature of the cameras raised concerns about surreptitious recording and privacy violations in public spaces.

Future Development:

The release of Ray-Ban Stories marked an initial step in Meta's exploration of wearable technology. Future advancements might involve refining the integration of AR features, enhancing privacy controls, and addressing public concerns about the social implications of such devices.
Please note that developments in technology are rapid, and there might have been updates or new releases related to smart glasses by Ray-Ban and Meta since my last update. Always refer to the latest news and official announcements for the most current information about these products.