The new Wayfarer-style smart glasses have been announced in partnership with eyewear firm, EssilorLuxottica and feature a pair of cameras for photos and videos, as well as a microphone and speaker.

Multiple smart features

With the two internal 5 MP cameras, users will be able to capture photographs and movies, listen to music through in-frame speakers, and make phone calls. Although users may capture and save hundreds of images or dozens of films on the glasses before uploading the data to their phones using Facebook’s new View app, the glasses must be linked to an iOS or Android smartphone. Users will be able to apply 3D effects to their photographs and videos after uploading them to the app thanks to the dual cameras.

The sunglasses are extremely light, weighing less than 50 grams, and with a leather hardshell charging case.

The glasses’ users will be able to control the glasses with physical buttons including a “capture” button to record media and an on-off switch. There is a touchpad on the right arm of the glasses, which will allow users to perform functions like swiping to adjust the volume or answering a phone call. Additionally, an onboard white LED will glow to indicate to the people around the wearer that a video is being recorded.

An awaited major launch for Facebook

This is a major launch for Facebook, which announced early details about the Ray-Ban partnership and product at its AR/VR-focused developer conference a year ago. The company has also indicated that the device is a stepping stone for its Augmented Reality ambitions, as well as an effort to get users acquainted with the idea of high-tech glasses.

In a launch video for the product, Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, said: “Ray-Ban Stories is an important step toward a future when phones are no longer a central part of our lives and you won’t have to choose between interacting with a device or interacting with the world around you.”