Meta and Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica have extended their partnership into the next decade, collaborating since 2019 to produce two generations of Ray-Ban Meta glasses. The agreement aims to bring more “multi-generational smart eyewear products.” The first iteration, known as Ray-Ban Stories, was launched in late 2021, praised for its audio quality and camera functionality, despite privacy concerns. In contrast, the 2023 Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses received a positive review for their slimmer frames, hands-free messaging, Instagram livestreaming, improved camera, and sound quality. The glasses also come equipped with AI features such as Multimodal AI, capable of real-time visual recognition and search capabilities. Reports suggest that Meta may acquire a five percent stake in EssilorLuxottica, although this development was not confirmed in the partnership extension announcement. Available in different frame designs starting at $300, the future looks bright for this innovative collaboration.
