Are smart glasses the future of content creation?
Ray-Ban’s smart glasses are natively built for Instagram.
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Let’s dive into today’s topic:
Are smart glasses the future of content creation?
Ray-Ban’s smart glasses are natively built for Instagram and perfectly suitable for content creation.
Why it matters
Understanding the future landscape of content consumption and creation is pivotal for artists.
Big tech companies are delving into smart glasses. Examples include Snap’s Spectacles, Google’s Glass, and Amazon’s Echo Frames. Smart glasses might have their breakthrough moment soon.
Meta’s collaboration with Ray Ban is strategic and clever. They bridge the gap between style and functionality by integrating advanced features into iconic frames.
How it works
The Meta x Ray-Ban smart glasses boast a high-quality camera, five microphones, and directional audio with decent-quality speakers, all neatly packed in a stylish Ray-Ban case that doubles as the device’s charger.
With capabilities ranging from calls and audio playback to text messaging, DMs, and WhatsApp, these glasses are built to replace several smartphone functions. Adding to its allure is the introduction of an AI-powered "Hey Meta..." function.
The main attraction? They look good. Ray-Ban sells smart glasses in 150 style variations of the iconic models Wayfarer and Headliner. Also, they’re affordable. This gadget sells for around $300.
For artists, the natural appeal lies in their suitability for content creation. With a camera that delivers photos and videos of social media-worthy quality, these glasses seamlessly integrate with Instagram's live-streaming functionality.
This opens up exciting possibilities for artists:
Capture a live show from a first-person perspective.
Immerse the audience in the energy of a performance from the crowd's viewpoint.
Share tutorials on music production or instrument mastery from a unique, first-person angle.
These possibilities, while not exclusive to these glasses, gain significance for two reasons:
Aesthetics matter in the artistic realm, and these smart glasses embody iconic Ray-Ban models.
The native integration with Instagram caters to less tech-savvy artists.
Yes, but..
I didn’t hear about this product until three months after its release. I'm not the target audience, or the campaign isn’t tailored towards non-English speaking territories.
The use cases are limited since these smart glasses lack a visual user interface.
There are privacy concerns: How do we know if someone is filming when wearing smart glasses? It flashes an LED when recording, but malicious parties might learn how to deactivate it.
Currently, the Meta x Ray-Ban smart glasses are only available in the UK, US and Canada.
Take action now
I wouldn’t recommend artists to jump into action mode considering smart glasses immediately. However, artists known for their technical skills and much traction on their video content, such as James Hype or Harry Mack, could shoot their videos from a fresh perspective with these glasses.