Hands-on with Facebook’s Ray-Ban Specs, Foxtel’s IQ5 and the future of social media : Vertical Hold Ep 345

Facebook wants you to strap on a pair of its smarter Ray-Bans — but what’s the experience of smart sunnies like? What will subscriptions do to social media (and could they make it worse?) And what’s worth getting excited about with Foxtel’s new IQ5 set top box? Special guests TV Blackbox’s Steve Molk (@stevemolk) and Age/SMH’s Alice Clarke (@AliceDKC)!

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There’s a lot going on this week in the Australian tech media space, so it’s another multi-guest episode!

First up, we’re joined by TV BlackBox’s Steve Molk to talk Foxtel’s new iQ5 set top box. Can the shift from cable and satellite to an all-IP based box revitalise the pay TV giant’s fortunes in the streaming media world — and which rights does Foxtel really need to hold onto in order to stay relevant?

Then we don our sunglasses (possibly at night) for a chat with Alice Clarke from the SMH/Age, as Facebook launches Ray-Ban Stories. These aren’t tales of lost sunnies, but instead new smart sunglasses with inbuilt cameras, speakers and a whole new Facebook app to contend with. Can they be a contender?

Alice also talks to us about the future of social media, and what payment systems like Twitter’s “Superfollowers” will mean for the increasing fragmentation of the Internet!

Got some thoughts about Facebook’s sunnies, Foxtel’s chances or where social media is a blessing or a curse? Let us know your thoughts below!