February 20 – Snapchat opens up the sale for Spectacles to the public for $129.99 – buy them here.
Snapchat readies for an IPO worth $25 Billion – 1/30/17 Update
ORIGINAL POST:
The messaging app Snapchat and company will reportedly release its IPO filing the first week of March. Originally it was expected to be valued at $20 billion, but now sources are saying it will be worth $25 billion.
Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel, who is only 26, will undoubtedly be a wealthy dude. Welcome to the American Dream. The filing will reportedly take place on the New York Stock Exchange.
Evan Spiegel – CEO Snapchat
11/12 – Update Hands on with Spectacles
Exciting Unboxing Video
11/10/16 – Snapchat releases the spectacles today for sale.
The king of quick chat is seeing things differently this fall. Capturing memories and life moments has proved to be quite lucrative for Snapchat. And they’re looking to extend the experience outside the app. Snapchat is shortening their name to just Snap, and is in the hardware business now.
The company will release video-recording sunglasses called Spectacles this fall. They contain a 115-degree-angle lens that will allow the wearer to record up to 30 seconds of video, a Snap Inc. representative said, and will cost $129.99. Supplies will be limited at first, and they’ll come in one-size-fits-all variants of black, teal or coral.
“Capturing those memories is a click away”
How will the Spectacles camera work: A click on a button at the corner of the sunglasses will record up to 10 seconds of video. The camera has a wide-angle lens – similar to a fish-eye lens on GoPro cameras. The glasses connect wirelessly to a smartphone.
While reminiscent of Google Glass, I think Spectacles will have a big impact initially but eventually suffer from the same demise as Google. Why? They are dorky looking. Why not make these look like any other glasses or at least not so funky? and making them sunglasses limits them to outdoor activities. But this dorky look makes a clear connection to the Snapchat app, and that may be the deciding factor.
Quick Spectacle Facts
How do I use Spectacles?
Tap the button on the top left-hand corner of the sunglasses to begin recording a snap. It will automatically stop recording after 10 seconds — but if you want additional recording time, you can tap again to add another 10-second increment.
What’s the longest video that I can record?
You can record up to 30 seconds at a time.
How do I get my snaps onto my phone?
If you have an Android device, you have to transfer them via Wi-Fi. If you have an iOS device, they will transfer by default via the glasses’ Bluetooth connection. Or, you can choose to can transfer them at a higher resolution over Wi-Fi.
How do I charge them?
Spectacles will come with a dedicated charging case and cable. Snap says that when fully charged, the case can recharge your Spectacles up to four times.