Can Facebook Glasses Filter Out the Haters?

Big news: Facebook and Ray-Ban have launched a pair of smart glasses called Ray-Ban Stories.

Why this matters: Many believe augmented reality (AR) is the next progression in computing following mobile. These smart glasses are technically not AR-enabled. Still it is not hard to see how this is a logical step in that direction.

Big question #1: WTF is augmented reality?

Quick answer: Augmented reality is where objects in the physical world are enhanced by computer-generated information.  In the example below, the user is typing on a virtual keyboard overlaid on top of the table.

Key details for Ray-Ban Stories:
1) Starting at $299
2) 2 5-megapixel cameras
3) 3 microphones
4) 4 gigabytes (GB) of storage

Core activities for Ray-Ban Stories:
1) Taking pictures
2) Record video
3) Listening to music
4) Taking phone calls

Big question #2: Will Mr. Screens “normal” people be more willing to wear these than Google Glass (2013) or Snap Spectacles (2016)?

Quick answer: Adopting a style (Wayfarer) already in use is a better start than past efforts.

Companies working on augmented reality glasses include:
1) Apple
2) Facebook
3) Amazon
4) Microsoft
5) Snap

Wow: The U.S. Army ordered 120K pairs of AR glasses from Microsoft in a deal worth $21.9B ($183K/pair).

Video #1: Here’s how Microsoft’s augmented reality headset will make Army soldiers deadlier

Video #2: Ray-Ban and Facebook’s Camera-Equipped Sunglasses. Cool? Yes. Creepy? Yes.

More: Facebook’s New Camera Glasses Are Dangerously Easy to Use