We’re somewhat optimistic about Snapchat’s Spectacles, which the company (now apparently known as Snap Inc.) dumped on the world Friday afternoon. They’re $130 brightly colored shades — teal, coral, and black — with a small camera and a couple of radios (and a rechargeable battery) built into the frame. The glasses take up to three 10-second videos and dump them, through your phone, to your Snapchat account.
About the only thing Spectacles have in common with Google Glass is that you wear them on your face and that they include a camera. They cost 10 percent of Glass and have seem to have zero business aspirations. Spectacles also are very transparent about when they’re recording: there are indicator lights for the shooter and the subject, which is nice.
One particularly appealing thing about Spectacles is how very targeted they are to Snapchat’s core market. Look at the image accompanying this article; this is not an image aimed at grownups. And let’s leave aside that there are not likely designed to fit over prescription glasses. Spectacles are what they are, and they look like fun, which is exactly right.
Snap’s not saying exactly when Spectacles will be available, nor are they saying how many they’re going to make.
One more thing about that rebranding of Snapchat. The website for Snap Inc. describes the company as “a camera company.” Not software, not social media. “Camera.” Hmmm……