Ray-Ban Stories Update Finally Turns Them Into Smart Glasses – SlashGear

Meta announced a handful of new changes in the latest update for Ray-Ban Stories, including expanding current features to a larger number of users. That includes Spotify Tap, which previously only allowed iOS users to stream music from their Spotify account with a single tap, being extended to Android users as well. Additionally, French and Italian-language users of WhatsApp will now have hands-free messaging and calling capabilities, as well as having their WhatsApp communications encrypted, just as English-language users have previously enjoyed.

The biggest change with this update, however, is the enhancement of voice control, which is important for the hands-free device to become a more useful peripheral. Ray-Ban Stories will now allow all wearers to use their voice to reply directly to messages, create new ones, and answer calls or ignore them and send them straight to voicemail. These voice controls will also be more intuitive and conversational with the new update. Meta uses the examples “Ask Martha if she wants to come to the party” and “Tell David I love him” to showcase how Stories can send messages for you rather than needing more direct phrasing like “Send a message.” These more-seamless voice commands will be available for calls, texts, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp.

Meta also announced, beginning in June, that it will be requiring Meta accounts to use Ray-Ban Stories and its Facebook View companion app. Previously, a Facebook account was needed. If you don’t already have one from using products like Quest, a Meta account can be created with email or with your preexisting Facebook or Instagram login. Through your Meta account, you’ll be able to link your Facebook or Instagram to your Ray-Ban Stories, which Meta hopes you’ll use to share the content you’re capturing hands-free with your eyes and voice.