Snap Spectacles
| Snap Spectacles | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | AR Glasses |
| Subtype | Phone-Powered AR |
| Platform | Snapchat |
| Creator | Erick Miller, Vergence Labs |
| Developer | Snap Inc. |
| Manufacturer | Snap Inc. |
| Announcement Date | September 24, 2016 |
| Release Date | November 10, 2016 |
| Price | $129.99 |
| Website | https://www.spectacles.com/ |
| Versions | Coral, Teal, Black |
| Requires | iPhone or Android smartphone with Snapchat app |
| Successor | Snap Spectacles 2 |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | No display (camera only) |
| Resolution | 1088 x 1088 (video) |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 115° (camera) |
| Optics | |
| Tracking | |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Built-in microphone |
| Microphone | Yes |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | No |
| Camera | Single HD camera |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Ports | Proprietary charging pins |
| Wired Video | No |
| Wireless Video | Yes (via Bluetooth/Wi-Fi to smartphone) |
| WiFi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Power | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery |
| Battery Life | Up to 70 videos per charge |
| Device | |
| Material | Plastic frame |
| Headstrap | N/A |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Coral, Teal, Black |
| Input | Single button for recording |
Introduction
The Snap Spectacles (also known as Spectacles or Spectacles V1) are smart glasses developed and released by Snap Inc. on November 10, 2016. These were the company's first hardware product and represented Snap's initial foray into wearable technology. The glasses feature a built-in camera that allows users to capture 10-second video clips from a first-person perspective, which can then be transferred to the Snapchat app for sharing.[1]
Unlike previous attempts at smart glasses such as Google Glass, Spectacles were designed to look like regular sunglasses, prioritizing fashion and social acceptability over technical capabilities. The glasses were initially distributed through proprietary vending machines called Snapbots, creating artificial scarcity and generating significant media attention.[2]
Background and Development
In December 2014, Snap Inc. (then Snapchat Inc.) acquired Vergence Labs, the developers of Epiphany Eyewear smartglasses. Vergence Labs was founded by entrepreneur Erick Miller in 2011, before Google Glass was even announced. The company's small engineering team consisted of founder CEO Erick Miller, co-founder Jon Rodriguez, software engineer Peter Brook, and designer/mechanical engineer David Meisenholder.[1]
The acquisition brought Vergence's expertise in-house to develop a more refined eyewear product for Snapchat. In October 2015, a leaked online video showed an early version of the new glasses, dubbed "Spectacles." By mid-2016, news outlets reported that Snapchat was hiring engineers from Microsoft, Nokia, and Qualcomm, with reporters speculating that the hires were to build the new glasses.[1]
Release and Distribution
The product was officially unveiled on September 24, 2016, and released on November 10, 2016. The glasses were initially sold exclusively through Snapbot, a proprietary vending machine that first appeared near Snap's headquarters in Venice, Los Angeles. The Snapbot was then relocated to different locations across the United States for several months, including Big Sur, California.[1]
This unique distribution strategy created significant buzz and demand, with people queuing for over an hour to purchase a pair. The limited availability was intended to make the device more sought after, and initially, this strategy succeeded in generating excitement.[3]
Eventually, Spectacles became available for purchase online through Snap's website and later on Amazon for $129.99.[2]
Hardware Specifications
Design
The Spectacles were designed to resemble trendy sunglasses with round lenses inside a plastic frame. They were available in three colors:
- Coral
- Teal
- Black
The design philosophy prioritized fashion over technology, making them look like "fairly fashionable sunglasses with a camera, not a camera first that tries to be sunglasses second."[2]
Camera and Recording
- Camera: Single HD camera with 115-degree field of view[2]
- Video Resolution: 1088 x 1088 pixels (circular format)[4]
- Recording Duration: 10-second increments (can record up to 30 seconds total in three 10-second segments)[2]
- Format: Circular video format designed to resemble human eye's field of view[5]
Indicators and Controls
- Recording Indicator: Bright yellow ring around the camera lens and white LED lights that display while recording[2]
- Controls: Single button press to start/stop recording
Connectivity and Syncing
- Bluetooth: For pairing with smartphones
- Wi-Fi: For HD video transfer
- Syncing Process: Videos stored internally on glasses and individually uploaded to Snapchat's 'Memories' section[5]
Power and Battery
- Battery: Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Battery Life: Up to 70 videos per full charge[2]
- Charging: Via proprietary charging case
Software and App Integration
Spectacles worked exclusively with the Snapchat app and required pairing via Bluetooth with users' Snapchat accounts. The syncing process involved: 1. Recording videos on the glasses 2. Videos stored internally on the device 3. Transfer to smartphone via Bluetooth/Wi-Fi 4. Videos appear in Snapchat Memories 5. Users can add text, stickers, geofilters, and other Snapchat editing tools 6. Share to Snapchat Story or export outside the app[2]
The glasses introduced a Snapchat-level learning curve for initiating Wi-Fi transfers and managing content.[2]
Reception and Sales
Despite initial buzz and excitement, Spectacles faced challenges:
- Less than half of owners used them after the first month[6]
- Total sales reached approximately 220,000 pairs[1]
- In late 2017, Snapchat wrote off $40 million worth of unsold Spectacles inventory and unused parts[1]
The glasses were considered more successful than Google Glass in addressing privacy concerns, as they looked like normal sunglasses and the recording indicator was clearly visible.[2]
Legacy
The original Spectacles served as an important learning experience for Snap Inc. According to VP of hardware Mark Randall, "the true purpose of V1 was to get people comfortable wearing and being recorded by a face computer."[6]
CEO Evan Spiegel described his experience with an early prototype: "It was our first vacation, and we went to Big Sur for a day or two. We were walking through the woods, stepping over logs, looking up at the beautiful trees. And when I got the footage back and watched it, I could see my own memory, through my own eyes — it was unbelievable."[7]
This first generation laid the groundwork for Snap's continued investment in AR glasses, leading to subsequent generations with improved features and eventually full AR capabilities.
Images
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectacles_(product)
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 https://www.techradar.com/reviews/snap-spectacles
- ↑ https://www.techradar.com/reviews/snapchat-spectacles-2
- ↑ https://www.wareable.com/wearable-tech/snapchat-snap-spectacles-2-release-date-specs-price-2018
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://golden.com/wiki/Spectacles_by_Snapchat-8MY884
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/26/snapchat-spectacles-2/
- ↑ https://blog.bolt.io/the-evolution-of-snap-spectacles-pt-i-craft-reveals-conviction/