Snap's Second-Gen Spectacles Bring Welcome Improvements Over Troubled Predecessor
Do you find it inconvenient to reach into your pocket and grab your phone to capture a special moment? Snap’s Spectacles may your answer. Snap (formerly Snapchat) is back with its second generation of Spectacles and have made a number of improvements to the original model.
The first generation of Spectacles were a commercial failure. The company purportedly only sold roughly 150,000 units and lost $40 million USD as a result. Snap has since recorded customer and employee complaints about the Spectacles in order to avoid another substantial loss. The latest generation of Spectacles incorporate many of the suggested changes.
First, both the current Spectacles and their charging case are smaller and lighter than their first generation counterparts. The transfer speed between the Spectacles and a user’s phone are now also three to four times faster. Snap has unfortunately stuck with their rather slow download process. Users will still need to import photos and videos from their “Memories”, connect their device to a WiFi network, and wait for their content to download.
Third, the Spectacles are able to take both photos and videos. There is no longer a standard-definition mode, therefore both the photos and videos will be high-definition (HD). The video resolution has been improved by 25% and is now 1216 x 1216. Fourth, Snap has added a second microphone. Many customers complained about the first generation that they could only hear the person who was wearing the Spectacles, but no one else in the videos.
The Spectacles are now water-resistant in shallow water as well. They claim that you can safely dive into a pool or the ocean. The charging case is “splash-proof”. This is an improvement over the first generation case which could not handle contact with water. Finally, customers will be able to order prescription Spectacles through Lensabl. It is important to note that depending on a customer’s vision needs, prescription lenses can double the price of the Spectacles. For example, single vision, 1.67 high index lenses would bump the price up to roughly $315 USD. This feature is currently only available in the United States. The battery size has remained the same and Spectacles can be recharged in their case up to four times before the case itself needs to be recharged.
Snap was reportedly able to reuse some of the parts in their unsold first generation Spectacles in the latest units. The company will also only be selling the Spectacles online. The first generation had been available online and in “Minion”-esque vending machines in major cities. These changes will hopefully to alleviate some of the loss Snap experienced with their first generation Spectacles.
Snap’s Spectacles are currently available for $149.99 USD in onyx, ruby, and sapphire. Customers will need the latest version of Snapchat and an iPhone 5 or later with iOS 10 or higher or an Android device with Android 4.4 or higher with WiFi Direct and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
The first generation of Spectacles were a commercial failure. The company purportedly only sold roughly 150,000 units and lost $40 million USD as a result. Snap has since recorded customer and employee complaints about the Spectacles in order to avoid another substantial loss. The latest generation of Spectacles incorporate many of the suggested changes.
First, both the current Spectacles and their charging case are smaller and lighter than their first generation counterparts. The transfer speed between the Spectacles and a user’s phone are now also three to four times faster. Snap has unfortunately stuck with their rather slow download process. Users will still need to import photos and videos from their “Memories”, connect their device to a WiFi network, and wait for their content to download.
Third, the Spectacles are able to take both photos and videos. There is no longer a standard-definition mode, therefore both the photos and videos will be high-definition (HD). The video resolution has been improved by 25% and is now 1216 x 1216. Fourth, Snap has added a second microphone. Many customers complained about the first generation that they could only hear the person who was wearing the Spectacles, but no one else in the videos.
Snap was reportedly able to reuse some of the parts in their unsold first generation Spectacles in the latest units. The company will also only be selling the Spectacles online. The first generation had been available online and in “Minion”-esque vending machines in major cities. These changes will hopefully to alleviate some of the loss Snap experienced with their first generation Spectacles.
