Core77

Snapchat Releasing Sunglasses That Can Record Video

They're creating a physical product that supports their app

By Rain Noe - September 28, 2016

in Accessories | Photography | Consumer Electronics

Too early to tell if it'll work, but this is interesting: Snapchat is reinventing themselves as Snap Inc.--and now calling themselves a camera company. "We believe that reinventing the camera represents our greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate," they write.

To reinvent the camera, they've made a bold choice of form factor: They've opted to put it on the front of your face. (With dual lenses, it appears.) The video's not super-informative, but shows you what they're going for in terms of lifestyle:

Enter a caption (optional)

These "Spectacles," as they're called, will wirelessly link to your Snapchat account. The only design features they've mentioned is that you tap the glasses to make a ten-second snap; a light comes on to alert people that you're recording; and the glasses will recharge inside the included case. As of yet, there's no announced release date.

What do you all think, is there room in the market for another image-shooting device? Cameras are a crowded field, with our phones taking up the casual market, GoPros sewing up the action market, mirrorless pocket models taking up the slack, et cetera. But it's possible that their app's popularity, and the lure of easy, always-ready-to-shoot capability, may prove irresistible to Snapchatters.

o

Favorite This
Q
3

Comment

Comments

J K

8 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Yet another "thing" for what exactly? I don't know much about snapchat, I don't have an account nor do I care to. I actually do find it interesting however what implications this might have to the increase of modern day dematerialization as well as its limitations. We are so caught up in the immaterial things like what social media provide much of even though its all so fleeting. And with regard to the networks how can they stay relevant. Lest Facebook becomes myspace and Twitter becomes Facebook they have to be more than just fads. "They're creating a physical product that supports their app". By connecting the digital to something that is physical they could actually take up space in our everyday life and thus be slightly less likely to just fade way into browser history. The whole "wearables" thing keeps popping up but not really sticking and I can't imagine its because people aren't really willing to embrace a greater merger of man and machine. I wonder if framing "personal perspectives" can sell were tech for tech's sake, as like had been with Google Glass, or even value in the premium, as with the Apple Watch, hasn't caught on. In agreement with Jason below my first impression was pure skepticism, but perhaps there is something to be learned here.

!Report as spam
N G

8 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

This marks the start of face mounted camera revolution. While the classic sunglasses is the hardest to pull off, I'm sure it won't be long before GoPro releases a pair of very competent Ski-goggles with built in lenses, where you have more space for the tech, batteries, and less need for personal style (compared to Aviators och Wayfarers)

!Report as spam
Jason Pokines

8 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I have no desire to drop good money on another camera that only posts things that get deleted after a day. My time and money is better spent other ways.

!Report as spam