Snap Spectacles 2
| Snap Spectacles 2 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | AR Glasses |
| Subtype | Phone-Powered AR |
| Platform | Snapchat |
| Developer | Snap Inc. |
| Manufacturer | Snap Inc. |
| Announcement Date | April 26, 2018 |
| Release Date | April 26, 2018 |
| Price | $149.99 |
| Website | https://www.spectacles.com/ |
| Versions | Onyx, Ruby, Sapphire |
| Requires | iPhone 7 or above running iOS 11+, Select Android devices running Android 6+ |
| Predecessor | Snap Spectacles |
| Successor | Snap Spectacles 3 |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 4GB flash |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | No display (camera only) |
| Resolution | 1216 x 1216 (video), 1642 x 1642 (photos) |
| Refresh Rate | 60 fps |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 105° (camera) |
| Optics | |
| Tracking | |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Dual microphones |
| Microphone | Yes (2 microphones) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | No |
| Camera | Single HD camera |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi |
| Ports | Proprietary charging pins |
| Wired Video | No |
| Wireless Video | Yes (via Bluetooth/Wi-Fi to smartphone) |
| WiFi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes (5.0) |
| Power | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery |
| Battery Life | Up to 70 videos or 150 photos per charge |
| Device | |
| Weight | Lighter than V1 |
| Material | Plastic frame |
| Headstrap | N/A |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Onyx (Midnight/Eclipse lenses), Ruby (Daybreak/Sunset lenses), Sapphire (Midnight/Twilight lenses) |
| Input | Single button for recording/photos |
| Compliance | Water resistant (not waterproof) |
Introduction
The Snap Spectacles 2 (also known as Spectacles V2 or Spectacles 2.0) are the second generation of smart glasses developed by Snap Inc., announced and released on April 26, 2018. Building upon the foundation of the original Spectacles, this version introduced several key improvements including the ability to capture photos, water resistance, a more refined design, and faster syncing capabilities.[1]
The second generation addressed many of the pain points from the original model while maintaining the core concept of fashionable sunglasses that capture moments from a first-person perspective for sharing on Snapchat.[2]
Development and Release
Following the mixed reception of the first generation Spectacles, which resulted in a $40 million write-off of unsold inventory, Snap Inc. took a more measured approach with the V2 release. The company was "more coy about sales numbers" and focused on fixing the biggest issues from V1.[3]
Unlike the viral Snapbot vending machine distribution of the first generation, Spectacles 2 were sold exclusively online through Snap's website at launch. This allowed the company to better track demand and avoid overproduction.[4]
Hardware Specifications
Design Improvements
The Spectacles 2 featured a significantly more understated design compared to the bright, playful colors of the first generation:
- Frame: Thinner, lighter plastic frame with more sophisticated styling[1]
- Colors: Three frame options with two lens variations each:
- Onyx: Black frame with Midnight or Eclipse lenses
- Ruby: Red frame with Daybreak or Sunset lenses
- Sapphire: Blue frame with Midnight or Twilight lenses[2]
- Indicator Light: Removed the permanent yellow ring around the camera; only white LEDs display while recording[1]
- Prescription Lenses: Partnership with Lensabl for prescription lens options[1]
Camera and Media Capture
- Photo Capability: New ability to capture still photos (hold button to snap)[4]
- Video Resolution: 1216 x 1216 pixels at 60fps[5]
- Photo Resolution: 1642 x 1642 pixels[4]
- Field of View: Reduced from 115° to 105° to minimize fish-eye warping[1]
- Storage: 4GB internal storage (up to 150 videos or 3,000 photos)[4]
Connectivity and Performance
- Transfer Speed: 4x faster than V1 (average 10-second video transfers in 3 seconds vs 9 seconds)[4]
- Syncing: Improved process requiring only Bluetooth and a 7-second button press (no QR code scan)[1]
- HD Transfer: All exports now happen in HD over internal Wi-Fi[1]
- Auto-sync: Automatic transfer to Snapchat when connected to home Wi-Fi[4]
Durability
- Water Resistance: Can withstand pool jumps and rain (not recommended for deep diving)[1]
- Build Quality: More durable construction than V1[4]
Software Updates
In June 2018, Snap released an update allowing users to export videos from the glasses in square or widescreen format, addressing user feedback about the circular video format.[6]
A later Snapchat update allowed Snaps to be exported without the 'fisheye' look, which was one of the biggest complaints from users.[2]
Pricing and Availability
- Launch Price: $149.99 (USD) - $20 more than the original[5]
- What's Included: Spectacles, charging case, charging cable[5]
- Distribution: Initially sold only on Spectacles.com; no Amazon availability at launch[5]
- Markets: Initially U.S., Canada, U.K., and France, expanding to 13 more European countries on May 3, 2018[1]
Reception
The Spectacles 2 received mixed reviews:
Improvements Praised
- More sophisticated, wearable design
- Addition of photo capability
- Significantly faster syncing
- Water resistance
- Better build quality
Continuing Limitations
- Still limited to Snapchat ecosystem
- Filters and effects can only be added post-capture
- Continuous upload still not seamless
- Higher price point
- Limited battery life remained an issue[4]
Despite improvements, the glasses still struggled to find a mass market. VP of hardware Mark Randall acknowledged that while the company felt "pretty good about shipping 220,000 pairs" of V1, V2 sales were not expected to be dramatically different.[1]
Legacy
The Spectacles 2 represented an important iterative step in Snap's hardware journey. By addressing the most glaring issues from V1 while maintaining a reasonable price point, Snap demonstrated commitment to the long-term vision of wearable AR technology despite initial setbacks.[3]
The lessons learned from V2's more refined approach to both design and distribution would inform the company's bold leap to dual-camera 3D capture in Spectacles 3 the following year.
Images
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/26/snapchat-spectacles-2/
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://www.techradar.com/reviews/snapchat-spectacles-2
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://blog.bolt.io/the-evolution-of-snap-spectacles-pt-i-craft-reveals-conviction/
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 https://www.wareable.com/wearable-tech/snapchat-snap-spectacles-2-release-date-specs-price-2018
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 https://www.newsweek.com/snapchat-spectacles-v2-how-buy-where-get-price-903068
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectacles_(product)