21st Century Innovative Technologies and Developments as also discoveries, curiosity ( insolite)...

Snapchat is the only company cool enough to possibly dismantle the Google Glass stigma. Awkward, useless, and a threat to privacy are how many think of computers you wear on your face. Can Snapchat show off the masterful marketing and smooth execution required to produce a product that won’t die on stores shelves or in a desk drawer?

To quickly recount the basics, a video of Snapchat’s new camcorder sunglasses leaked last night. Business Insider reported it, so the company rushed out the news with a Wall Street Journal piece that was planned for Monday.

Snapchat is renaming its corporate self to Snap Inc, and launching its $130 Spectacles this fall in limited release. They’ll be one-size-fits all in black, teal, or coral colors. Spectacles let you tap the glasses’ rim to instantly record 10 seconds of video, three taps to record a maximum of 30 seconds, with a light on the front alerting people you’re recording.

The video is captured with an 115-degree wide view lens in a circular format that can be watched full-screen on a phone in any orientation. The video is stored on the device and can be wirelessly offloaded to a phone over Wifi or Bluetooth so users can edit and share via Snapchat later. Spectacles’ battery should last a day, and you can get up to four full recharges from the portable charging case.

Snap Inc., the Snapchat-maker's new name, hasn't said exactly when Spectacles will go on sale but we know they will be priced at $129.99. 

While that's still a decent chunk of change, as far as wearables go, it's pretty reasonable. It's less than many wrist-worn wearables like Fitbit's $149.95 Charge 2 tracker, and significantly cheaper than other glasses products. When Google Glass launched in 2013, it cost $1,500. 

Granted, Spectacles isn't an augmented reality product, as many thought it might be, and the fact that it's primarily a camera helps keep the cost down. But, with wireless charging along with Wi-FI and Bluetooth connectivity, it's not exactly light on features either. 

The right price point could make all the difference for Snap Inc., which is just starting to branch out into products beyond its flagship app. Given that the app is most popular among young users, making Spectacles too expensive could prove to be disastrous for the company.

And while it's still too early to tell if Spectacles will be a success for the company, at least we know the cost won't be holding many people back.

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-innovative-technologies-and-developments/?tag=Snapchat

http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-innovative-technologies-and-developments/?tag=Privacy

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/privacy-in-the-digital-world-shouldnt-we-talk-about-it/