Report claims Facebook partners with Ray-Ban to develop smart glasses

Engadget

Where its competition has failed, Facebook is trying its luck. The social media company has reportedly partnered with Luxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, to help with the development of its augmented reality glasses.  CNBC reported that the smart specs have been in development for years over at the Facebook Reality Labs in Redmond, Washington. But project Orion, as it's called, has faced a bunch of roadblocks. One of the problems is fitting the hardware into a device consumers would want to wear. And that is where Luxottica can help them.

Just like other AR glasses, these glasses will serve as an alternative to constantly checking on your mobile phone. It shows information like notifications and text messages on a small display in the lens. It could work with the voice assistant Facebook is developing. And it might be safe to assume Facebook would integrate some key features to access its site easily through these glasses. The earliest these glasses could hit consumers would be 2023. As for whether you would want one is an entirely different discussion altogether.

Source: Gizmodo

Google Glass is making a comeback with help of Luxottica

Eyewear maker Luxottica is known for brands like Oakley and Ray-Ban so it’s good to know that they’re playing a hand in Google’s controversial wearable device, Google Glass. Google may have pulled the plug on the Explorer edition of Glass but that doesn’t mean they’re going to stop trying. The company says another version of the device is being made under the direction of Nest boss Tony Fadell. And the next-gen Glass will be coming soon. Luxottica’s CEO Massimo Vian said preparation for version two of Google Glass is ongoing. We’re not sure when the official debut of said Google Glass iteration will be but if it means we’re getting a more stylish-looking wearable, then we’re all for it.

Source: The Wall Street Journal | Via: The Verge