Candice LandauLast Updated on April 16, 2024 by Candice Landau
If there’s anything that’s becoming popular on social these days it’s a first person POV. Your feet moving below you as you walk on the beach, the palm fronds wafting above you. It’s the point of view you don’t normally think to capture with a phone but that you just might with the right equipment, say a set of sunglasses?
Enter Ray-Ban Stories, Meta and Ray-Ban’s answer to POV instant Insta success, or something like that. They’re literal sunglasses that let you record video, take photos and listen to audio.
Initially, the price tag put me off—$330 for a set of sunglasses that did, well, 3 things? Heck, my Tamagotchi did more in 1997. But then, as a work trip to Belize drew closer, I couldn’t stop imagining how easy it would be just to hit record and look in the general direction of the thing I wanted to record.
When the glasses arrived I was disappointed to find a small white LED let people know when you were recording. Not subtle, but also slightly less creepy. I got over it quickly and learned to forewarn people (as one should) to the fact that my glasses were capable of all manner of espionage-like subterfuge.
So, how does the whole thing work?
Well, you get a very sexy, very sleek set of sunglasses (or prescription glasses if that’s your preference) that honestly look essentially like regular glasses. When the recording light is not on, the camera is so discrete it’s almost impossible to tell it’s there. Step one is placing the glasses in their case and then plugging the case in to charge. Yep, just like Apple ear pods.
Once they’re charged, pop them out of the case and begin the process of pairing them with your phone. You’ll need to download the app. It’s called Meta View. It will help you with the syncing process, including explaining how to turn them on and start pairing (the on/off button is on the inside left of the frame).
From there, well, it’s as simple as learning the controls.
- Video Recording: Press the button on the right side of the frame once.
- Taking Photos: Press and hold the same button.
- Adjusting Volume: Swipe forward or backward along the temple to adjust the volume.
- Pausing Media Playback: Double-tap the right temple.
- Power On/Off: Long press the button until the LED indicates the status.
- Answering/Ending Calls: Double-tap the temple.
Though these glasses don’t include any form of Augmented Reality in the actual lenses, they’re still, in my opinion, well worth it, especially if you’re busy like I was on the Belize trip. Rather than have a phone camera or a digital camera get between me and the people I was supposed to be entertaining, I could directly interact with them while recording them and even though they knew they were being recorded (the LED indicator light told them as much, as did I), it took the wall down and they seemed to mind it less. Best of all, they looked and functioned like normal sunglasses which meant that on the dive boat I could use them as such.
That said…don’t drop them in the water! I don’t think waterproofing is part of the deal.
And, one more tip. If you’re wearing these glasses in a windy location, use a headband. The first time I tried them I started recording and subsequnetly watched my hair blow all over the camera lens. Strap those locks down and happy Instagramming, Facebooking, Audibling, Spotifying, Whatsapping, calling and whatever else you get up to.
PS: The sound is fantastic and no one else will hear it.
Where to buy Ray-Ban Wayfarer:
I’m becoming a big proponent of buying directly from the manufacturer when possible when it comes to technical gear (that way you know it’s legit). For these, I’d suggest going via Ray-Bans (you can even do a virtual try-on on their site.
