Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) is adding WhatsApp support features to Ray-Ban Stories, which will permit users to make calls, send text messages, or listen to voice messages from the app.
This new feature will allow users to call or send messages on WhatsApp through simple voice commands, such as, "Hey Facebook, send a message to...." Once the message is received, the Ray-Ban glasses will state a message that says, "New message on WhatsApp from (name): Is now a good time to talk?"
One positive aspect of this new feature is that personal messages and calls are protected with end-to-end encryption, meaning that WhatsApp, Meta, and other third parties are unable to obtain access to users' messages in any way. Voice transcripts and audios are not kept on servers so that they cannot be tracked at all.
According to Meta, the feature will be introduced through the Android (NASDAQ: GOOGL) and iOS (NASDAQ: AAPL) Facebook View applications. In order to view any updates, users can browse through by clicking "Your glasses" and then "Glasses update" before following the listed instructions.
A Meta spokesperson told Adweek: "Privacy and safety are at the forefront of our product design and experience. Your personal messages and calls are automatically secured with end-to-end encryption, which means WhatsApp, Meta and third parties can't read or listen to them. After the voice assistant identifies a voice command related to WhatsApp calling or messaging, the voice transcript and audio is not stored on any server."
A report that was recently released by The Information has revealed that these new features are being brought about at a time during which augmented reality glasses are on the rise from Meta. Meta ultimately intends to build on its augmented reality features in the future, including its WhatsApp and Messenger support features.
Since Stories is only available in certain countries (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, and so on), and the feature is connected with WhatsApp, it will only make a selective difference to users of the app. But it is expected that the implementation of this new feature will pave the way to a shift in the way that people consider technology.