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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The 2022 “new lease on life” headline referred to software, not a new pair of glasses. Ray-Ban Stories had already gained hands-free Messenger support, while WhatsApp beta code appeared to show that Meta was exploring voice-dictated messaging. That WhatsApp capability was not confirmed as a universal public release.
What the original story was about
The product was Ray-Ban Stories, Meta and EssilorLuxottica’s first-generation camera-and-audio glasses. The April 23, 2022 report described continued software attention after launch, rather than a hardware refresh. Its subject was not the later Ray-Ban Meta line.
Stories combined cameras, microphones, speakers, a voice interface and a smartphone connection for hands-free photos, video, audio, calls and messaging. They were never presented as an independent phone: normal use depended on a paired phone, connectivity and supported apps.
Source: Phandroid’s April 23, 2022 report.
What “new lease on life” meant
Messenger was the confirmed part
Meta had already added hands-free Messenger functionality. Stories owners could use voice commands to send and receive Messenger messages, making the glasses more useful while walking, commuting or doing tasks that made handling a phone inconvenient.
#1 Best Overall
- #1 SELLING AI GLASSES - Tap into iconic style for men and women, and advanced technology with the newest generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart AI glasses. Capture photos and video recordings, listen to music, make hands-free calls or ask Meta AI questions on-the-go.
- UP TO 8 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE - On a full charge, these smart AI glasses can last 2x longer than previous generations, up to 8 hours with moderate use. Plus, each pair comes with a charging case that provides up to 48 hours of charging on-the-go.
- 3K ULTRA HD: RECORD SHARP VIDEOS WITH RICH DETAIL — Hands-free video recording with an ultra-wide 12 MP camera in up to 3K resolution. Record clips up to 3 minutes per session. Capture sharp, vibrant memories while staying in the moment.
- LISTEN WITH OPEN-EAR AUDIO — Listen to music and more with discreet open-ear speakers that deliver rich, quality audio without blocking out conversations or the ambient noises around you.
- ASK YOUR GLASSES ANYTHING WITH META AI — Get real-time suggestions, answers, object identification, and reminders hands-free. Requires Bluetooth connection to your smartphone and the Meta AI app. Ensure your phone has internet connectivity.
WhatsApp was a possible next step
An APK teardown of WhatsApp beta version 2.22.9.13 reportedly found strings suggesting that users could dictate WhatsApp messages through the glasses’ voice assistant. The report described this as planned or experimental functionality, not a guaranteed launch.
APK strings can represent testing, unfinished work or a feature that is later abandoned. The careful conclusion is: WhatsApp beta code suggested Meta was exploring voice messaging on Ray-Ban Stories; the report did not confirm a universal public rollout.
Why WhatsApp support mattered
WhatsApp was a natural fit because Stories already had the necessary microphones, speakers, voice controls and phone link. Voice messaging could reduce the need to remove a phone for short communications, but it would still have required the paired handset, a compatible account, mobile connectivity and software support. It was not standalone messaging.
Rank #2
- #1 SELLING AI GLASSES - Tap into iconic style for men and women, and advanced technology with the newest generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart AI glasses. Capture photos and video recordings, listen to music, make hands-free calls or ask Meta AI questions on-the-go.
- UP TO 8 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE - On a full charge, these smart AI glasses can last 2x longer than previous generations, up to 8 hours with moderate use. Plus, each pair comes with a charging case that provides up to 48 hours of charging on-the-go.
- 3K ULTRA HD: RECORD SHARP VIDEOS WITH RICH DETAIL — Hands-free video recording with an ultra-wide 12 MP camera in up to 3K resolution. Record clips up to 3 minutes per session. Capture sharp, vibrant memories while staying in the moment.
- LISTEN WITH OPEN-EAR AUDIO — Listen to music and more with discreet open-ear speakers that deliver rich, quality audio without blocking out conversations or the ambient noises around you.
- ASK YOUR GLASSES ANYTHING WITH META AI — Get real-time suggestions, answers, object identification, and reminders hands-free. Requires Bluetooth connection to your smartphone and the Meta AI app. Ensure your phone has internet connectivity.
Stories, Ray-Ban Meta and Meta Glasses
Ray-Ban Meta became the successor product line, with communication and AI treated as core capabilities rather than an uncertain app experiment. Current Ray-Ban information lists voice calls, text and voice messages through WhatsApp, Messenger and SMS, WhatsApp and Messenger video calls, camera-view sharing during video calls, Meta AI voice commands and a companion Meta AI app for setup, media import, settings and updates.
| Product | Messaging and calling | AI and camera context | Phone and availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ray-Ban Stories | Messenger hands-free support was reported as available; WhatsApp voice messaging was only suggested by 2022 beta code. | Original camera-and-audio platform; current Meta AI features should not be assumed. | Phone-connected; ongoing support and regional compatibility are uncertain. |
| Ray-Ban Meta | WhatsApp, Messenger and SMS messaging; calls; WhatsApp and Messenger video calls with camera sharing, subject to model, account, app and region. | Meta AI and newer camera capabilities; Gen 2 pages state up to eight hours of use plus up to 40 additional hours from a fully charged case, with actual life varying by use. | Requires a compatible smartphone, Meta AI app and Meta account. See Ray-Ban’s FAQ. |
| Meta Glasses (2026) | A separate Meta-branded line, not a Ray-Ban Stories update. | Meta says it launches with Meta AI powered by Muse Spark and live translation support for additional languages. | Announced June 23, 2026, in 26 styles with prescription compatibility and a $299 starting price. Details: Meta’s announcement. |
Meta’s 2024 announcement documents the expansion of Ray-Ban Meta with WhatsApp and Messenger video calling and multimodal Meta AI, initially rolling out in beta in the United States and Canada: Meta, April 2024.
Current Ray-Ban Meta pricing
Observed US Ray-Ban listings checked in August 2026 show why there is no single “Ray-Ban Meta price.” A Gen 2 Headliner example was listed at $379, a Gen 2 Wayfarer at $409, and another Gen 2 Headliner configuration at $459. Prices vary by frame, lens, prescription and finish.
Rank #3
- #1 SELLING AI GLASSES - Tap into iconic style for men and women, and advanced technology with the newest generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart AI glasses. Capture photos and video recordings, listen to music, make hands-free calls or ask Meta AI questions on-the-go.
- UP TO 8 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE - On a full charge, these smart AI glasses can last 2x longer than previous generations, up to 8 hours with moderate use. Plus, each pair comes with a charging case that provides up to 48 hours of charging on-the-go.
- 3K ULTRA HD: RECORD SHARP VIDEOS WITH RICH DETAIL — Hands-free video recording with an ultra-wide 12 MP camera in up to 3K resolution. Record clips up to 3 minutes per session. Capture sharp, vibrant memories while staying in the moment.
- LISTEN WITH OPEN-EAR AUDIO — Listen to music and more with discreet open-ear speakers that deliver rich, quality audio without blocking out conversations or the ambient noises around you.
- ASK YOUR GLASSES ANYTHING WITH META AI — Get real-time suggestions, answers, object identification, and reminders hands-free. Requires Bluetooth connection to your smartphone and the Meta AI app. Ensure your phone has internet connectivity.
Should existing Stories owners keep using them?
Keeping a working pair can make sense if the glasses still meet basic camera and audio needs. Check these points before relying on them:
- Does the glasses-and-case combination still hold a useful charge?
- Is the original charging case present and functional?
- Do the required phone, Meta software and accounts still connect?
- Is the specific Messenger or WhatsApp function available in your country and app version?
- Are you expecting Meta AI, modern video calling or newer camera features that Stories were not designed to provide?
Battery degradation, changing app compatibility and uncertain long-term service support are practical reasons not to treat Stories as a dependable current platform. Current Meta AI capabilities are model-, language-, account-, app- and region-dependent.
Is buying used Ray-Ban Stories sensible?
Usually only when the price is very low and the buyer specifically wants basic camera and audio functions. A secondhand pair can arrive with a degraded battery, missing case, pairing problems or software limitations. There is no reliable current official retail price to use as a benchmark.
Rank #4
- Ray-Ban Stories frames cannot be replaced with prescription lenses and attempting to do so will invalidate the warranty.
- RAY-BAN STORIES: The new way to capture, share and listen. In partnership with Meta, discover our first generation of smart sunglasses and eyeglasses that keeps you connected.
- CAPTURE THE WORLD AS YOU SEE IT: Take photos and videos hands-free and stay immersed in the moment with the dual 5MP camera. It automatically adjusts to the light around you for high resolution photos and quality video for up to 60 seconds.
- SOUND IT OUT: Discrete open-ear speakers with 3 built-in microphones capture sound in all directions so you get rich voice and sound quality for calls and videos.
- NEVER BREAK YOUR RHYTHM: Pause your song, take a photo or record a video with a single touch thanks to the hyper-responsive touchpad. Use Facebook Assistant voice control to capture hands-free, just by saying “HEY FACEBOOK…”.
For a new purchase, the more defensible comparison is a current Ray-Ban Meta model, a separate 2026 Meta Glasses model, or conventional sunglasses paired with earbuds. Verify prescription eligibility, phone compatibility, regional features and privacy comfort before buying. Current glasses still require a compatible smartphone and Meta AI app, and camera-equipped eyewear is not suitable for every environment.
The accurate takeaway
Ray-Ban Stories did receive meaningful software attention: Messenger hands-free messaging was available, and WhatsApp beta code suggested a possible voice-messaging extension. But “new lease on life” was editorial framing for an aging, phone-dependent first-generation product—not proof that WhatsApp support had shipped to every owner.
The larger progression is clear: Ray-Ban Meta made messaging, calling, camera sharing and AI central to the product, while 2026 Meta Glasses represent a separate Meta-branded expansion. None of those later capabilities should be retroactively attributed to Ray-Ban Stories.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
