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Snapchat Releases First Hardware Product, Spectacles

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Re: Snapchat Releases First Hardware Product, Spectacles

#291

Post by downandout »

keithwhor wrote: post #99

I think this is brilliant. Even the press details seem perfectly crafted, with one article referencing Evan's "supermodel girlfriend." Snapchat can win here based on brand alone. The hardware features are a plus, but they're going to sell a lifestyle. Think GoPro + Versace. Commenters here are caught up in the tech. It's not the tech. Get a few celebrities in these, people will buy them and barely use the recording f…

You're essentially saying that if Evan Spiegel had released Google Glass, it would have been successful because Evan is cool and Google is not. First, Evan isn't that cool - he tried to cut out and leave penniless his frat brother that actually came up with the idea for Snapchat [1]. While that may be a Jobs or Zuckerberg-type move, it certainly doesn't make him cool.

Second, Glass failed largely because of the invasive techno-snob feel to it - something that Spectacles has not overcome. It's one thing to have an iPhone in your pocket; it's quite another to shove your camera and microphone enabled face computer into the lives of literally everyone you interact with.

[1] http://www.businessinsider.com/snapchat-lawsuit-video-deposi...

Re: Snapchat Releases First Hardware Product, Spectacles

#292

Post by acid__ »

gcr wrote: post #273
GabrielF00 wrote: post #261

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What about the problem of some people freaking out if they feel like they're being filmed?

Agree. I would want to avoid people who use these. Unlike google glass, recording and broadcasting to the Internet is the only purpose for this product.

But unlike Google Glass, you can only record for 10 seconds at a time, and you'll watch people make a motion to start recording before it happens.

Re: Snapchat Releases First Hardware Product, Spectacles

#293

Post by noobermin »

supercoder wrote: post #122
noobermin wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a young person (age of the CEO of snapchat), I say, yes they fucking can.

26 is young now ?

Probably not, but that doesn't help the CEO's case on whether he has a handle on what the young'ins (I suppose you'd call them) think is creepy or not.

Re: Snapchat Releases First Hardware Product, Spectacles

#294

Post by flohofwoe »

ChrisLTD wrote: post #203
flohofwoe wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, my guess is it will be similar to the Apple Watch. Somewhat popular for a little while with people working in tech or tech-media, but completely non-existent in the 'real world'.

At Apple's last event they said they were the number 2 watchmaker by revenue. They can't have gotten there by only selling to techies. Anecdotally, I see tons of Apple Watches around Manhattan.

I hardly know any people who still have a traditional watch, yet alone a smart watch, so #2 watchmaker doesn't mean much to me ;) I haven't seen many Apple Watches yet in the wild (may be 2 or 3) might have to do with the fact that I'm from Germany (Berlin). A lot of iPhones here though. I know, anecdotal evidence etc...

Re: Snapchat Releases First Hardware Product, Spectacles

#295

Post by bfstein »

malka wrote: post #282
TAForObvReasons wrote: post #254

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not a kid, but I absolutely love the idea of a camera at eye level that can capture what I'm seeing. Many times I've missed random animal sightings or funny moments because I didn't have a camera at the ready (and sometimes it takes a while to dig out the phone).

Same problem as Google glasses though, people dont like having a camera pointing at them when they talk to you.

If you check the website, you'll see they have lights built around the lens to "show friends your snapping." I imagine this was specifically built to assuage that concern.

Re: Snapchat Releases First Hardware Product, Spectacles

#296

Post by richardboegli »

dingaling wrote: post #286
TAForObvReasons wrote: post #264

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Try to understand the essence of the problem and the whole thing makes perfect sense. Problem: many spontaneous moments are missed because the phone is not immediately accessible. The phone is in the pocket and it takes seconds to dig out the phone and switch to the camera app, and by that time I missed the moment. Solution: put a camera at line of sight. Make it super simple to capture. When you phrase it as a camer…

> Solution: put a camera at line of sight. Make it super simple to capture. But these are sunglasses which are unlikely to be worn much indoors. So one might still have to fumble in a bag for the glasses, don them to put the camera in line of sight and then take a snap. What really irks me is the overloading of the term 'spectacles'. These are absolutely not spectacles as commonly understood: "lenses to help a person…

"lenses to help a person's sight"

But, if the lenses people see the world through is Snapchat then this makes perfect sense.

Re: Snapchat Releases First Hardware Product, Spectacles

#297

Post by [deleted] »

dingaling wrote: post #286
TAForObvReasons wrote: post #264

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Try to understand the essence of the problem and the whole thing makes perfect sense. Problem: many spontaneous moments are missed because the phone is not immediately accessible. The phone is in the pocket and it takes seconds to dig out the phone and switch to the camera app, and by that time I missed the moment. Solution: put a camera at line of sight. Make it super simple to capture. When you phrase it as a camer…

> Solution: put a camera at line of sight. Make it super simple to capture. But these are sunglasses which are unlikely to be worn much indoors. So one might still have to fumble in a bag for the glasses, don them to put the camera in line of sight and then take a snap. What really irks me is the overloading of the term 'spectacles'. These are absolutely not spectacles as commonly understood: "lenses to help a person…

[deleted]

Re: Snapchat Releases First Hardware Product, Spectacles

#298

Post by Johnny555 »

yolesaber wrote: post #281
nwjtkjn wrote: post #278

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These are the same teenagers/college-age persons who own $600+ iPhones.

Most phones are subsidized by wireless contracts.

Cell phones aren't subsidized, they are just financed over 2 years (with the payment often hidden in your monthly cell phone bill). If the price of the glasses is a problem (I doubt it is), they could be financed the same way "Just give us $11/month for a year and you can have them today!"

Re: Snapchat Releases First Hardware Product, Spectacles

#299

Post by Fricken »

TAForObvReasons wrote: post #254
Fricken wrote: post #251

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the glasses are stupid, but then again, I thought the whole idea behind snapchat was stupid to begin with, yet here we are. Obviously my finger is not on the pulse of today's youth. I don't think the kids today will be too inclined to shell out $130 for these gimmicky things, but my judgement on such matters is demonstrably terrible.

Not a kid, but I absolutely love the idea of a camera at eye level that can capture what I'm seeing. Many times I've missed random animal sightings or funny moments because I didn't have a camera at the ready (and sometimes it takes a while to dig out the phone).

I thought about what could go right. It's going to be huge.

It'll be memeable instagram for commodity VR. 10 second FPV clips will become the next creative currency- the new 140 characters. It's an untrodden and instantly democratized new medium, but could only get the needed network effect if it's backed by someone with Snapchat's clout.

By the time useful AR comes to market, Snap will have all the best creative content.

Re: Snapchat Releases First Hardware Product, Spectacles

#300

Post by lucb1e »

josephpmay wrote: post #269
lucb1e wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> at $130 they're almost disposable Welcome to real world prices. This is definitely not disposable, this sounds like a good price for VR to me and I'd be careful with them. But they're not VR and VR is a lot more expensive, so that's why nobody outside the industry has one.

An actual comparable product, GoPros, start at $200

True, this isn't even VR. If it only was, then it might finally become more mainstream.
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