The reports also suggest that the device will come with enhanced cameras and viewers of the live-stream can also talk with the user.
It’s a race of wearables, and Meta is leaving no stone unturned. After a report surfaced claiming that around 90 per cent of consumers abandoned the Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses, Meta seems to be bracing for a grand comeback. Unaffected by the existing model’s low user retention, Meta now has plans to let users livestream videos with viewers who can also interact with them.
A report by journalist Janko Roettgers, who is privy to internal documents, suggests that the latest iteration of Ray-Ban Stories will not only let users live-stream videos directly to Facebook and Instagram but will also allow viewers to talk back through the built-in headphones. While this may seem far-fetched, considering multiple viewers speaking at a time, Meta may have some unique ideas to execute this if true.
According to Roettgers, the new device will also feature improved battery life and enhanced cameras. The second-generation Ray-Ban Stories will also raise audio playback in case the surrounding sounds get too loud.
The first-generation Ray-Ban Stories were introduced in September 2021. Facebook had unveiled the device that was expected to be its first-ever product to offer a glimpse of its plans for a metaverse. The smart glass was a collaboration between Meta Platforms and Italian optical equipment designer EssilorLuxottica. The sunglasses allow users to take pictures, listen to music, and send and receive WhatsApp and Facebook messages. The device came at a price of $299, along with various style combinations.
Earlier this month, a report by The Wall Street Journal suggested that Meta Platforms was struggling to retain its consumers of Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses. Reportedly, out of 300,000 units sold between September 2021 and February 2023, only 27,000 were still being regularly used. This was reportedly also an outcome of several technical problems, including issues with voice commands, audio, inadequate battery life, and difficulty in importing media from other devices. According to a report by the Journal, nearly 13 per cent of users had returned the product after purchase.
Source:indianexpress.com