When Snapchat Spectacles were first introduced to the market, the general public was thrilled at the change of owning something that seemed to belong to the future. The idea of physically wearing a camera that easily turns on and off was novel. But the hype died down a few days after and the eyewear has not gained any other momentum
As Fortune notes, Snapchat first entered the market five years ago with a service that was unlike any of its competitors. Though there are ways around it, the service was simple: Temporary photos and videos. But Snapchat was its best when it allowed users to share hilarious and embarrassing moments.
The problem was that these instances have oftentimes been too quick to capture. Most users were unable to unlock their phones, open the application and film before the funny moment passed. And then came Snapchat Spectacles in November, a piece of eyewear with an attached camera that cost US$130.
The camera that was embedded into the Spectacles were connected to the Snapchat application. At that time, they were a major hit. There were long lines to get the coveted new accessory, which resulted in pretty tough online auctions and positive reviews. Unlike Google Glass, the public welcomed this new piece of technology.
Every purchase of a pair of Snapchat Spectacles come with a charging case, a USB charging cable and a ghost-shaped cleaning cloth and buyers can choose between a black, teal and coral. The battery could record about 100 10-second snaps per charge and is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Furthermore, the eyewear worked even without close range of the the handset, as it will just sync once Wi-Fi and distance allow it.
PC Mag adds that using the Spectacles to record daily activities is easy. Wearers simply need to tap the left button to record a 10-second step, with each additional tape recording an additional 10 seconds to the video. Nevertheless, the recording can be stopped when the button is held down for two seconds.
The LED lights are important as well. When the lights flash in a circle, this means that the glasses are recording -- which doubles as letting the people around you know they are being filmed. One LED flash three times, on the other hand, signals low battery. Five LED flashes three times means that storage is full. Two LED flashes three times mean that Snapchat has to be updated.
However, actually finding a pair might be difficult. Snapchat only sells the Spectacles via vending machines they call Snapbots. These machines are not clearly marked out, but they have been units found in New York, Los Angeles, Oklahoma, Arizona and Florida as well. Otherwise, those eyeing the device need to buy them secondhand online.
Snapchat Spectacles are a great piece of technology, but it is not for everyone. It definitely is more appealing to the younger generations. They are brightly colored, easy to use and efficient. The item will definitely be a hit this holiday season - if the company releases enough units.
