Snapchat Releasing ‘Spectacles’ Camera-Equipped Eyewear, Ventures Into Hardware For ‘Fun’

Snapchat has finally announced the existence of its first hardware offering called “Spectacles” and CEO Evan Spiegel seems particularly enthralled with it. The product is a one size fits all pair of sunglasses that is equipped with a camera that can take pictures or videos. When asked why he wanted to create and sell “Spectacles,” his response was that it’s “fun.”

The hardware was first revealed to a handful of people in Venice, California, The Wall Street Journal reports, where Snapchat’s CEO unveiled “Spectacles” with a flourish of a towel. Prior to doing so, attendees noted Spiegel’s excitement over the matter, almost seeming jittery. Along with the revelation of the product, the social media app also got a new company name and now it’s called Snap Inc.

So, what’s so special about these glasses? For one thing, it takes circular video and images instead of rectangular ones. Spiegel believes that the four-sided landscape is a relic of a bygone era popularized by Polaroid pictures. The more rounded approach makes the videos and images taken seem more real closer to what humans actually see, which is perhaps the point given the nature of “Spectacles.”

The hardware can take a 10-second video by just tapping a button on the hinge and can be tapped up to three times for a 30-second clip. It also records at an 115-degree angle, which gives the videos better orientation. Finally, the camera actually lights up to let people know that it’s recording. Even with this feature, however, there are concerns that it might come off as problematic in terms of privacy.

“Spectacles” will cost customers $130, Tech Crunch reports, but it’s only available as a limited release product. According to Spiegel, the goal is to slowly roll out the product in order to get a feel for how the public receives it.