Agree re: the forcing to Snapchat issue. I own a v1 pair. That was *the* blocker for me - it made the introductory adoption curve too steep. They *could* take more of an "embrace the ecosystem" approach, recognizing the existence of their peers and making their tools compatible. They could then more gradually draw people to using their app. If I start out using Spectacles daily with Instagram and loving the device, then I'd then be a lot more interested in using their other tools. No - import to Snap, export to camera roll, import to Instagram does not count - too much work.
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this is true. I would love to record without snapchat
I was hoping Snap would release non-sunglasses version of the Spectacles, but there are some welcome improvements here.
Curious to hear everyone's first impressions. Are you going to buy these?
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@rrhoover You can purchase replacement lenses, including prescription. While it would cost a little extra, swapping the lenses would do the trick.
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@rrhoover I'll bite. I can applaud Snap in not waiting to perfect it, but creating a consumer product at the right price-point and iterating on it. Can your phone take pictures and videos, yes. Can it take it from this perspective, I'd argue no (look ma! no hands!). I see the longer-term value is understanding how people are using it, collection of data and the AR aspect. VR is so far behind on consumer adoption and cost, but this.... this is a step in the right direction. I'd anticipate monetization to occur in the form of AR (hey, looky there - it's a dancing taco - Taco Bell), in a 'more natural and seamless' integration (is a dancing taco natural, meh) with your normal wear down the road. I haven't seen any other product similar at this price point / style that millennials (and some others) would actually wear & use. Nicely done on making it more simple to use, the overall charging capabilities and waterproof (resistant) aspect. I'm in for one.
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@rrhoover Evan didn't learn the first time around (they lost $40m)? They look better but problem is not with the glasses, its with the app.
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@rrhoover if people didn't like v1, I don't think v2 offers enough improvements to get them over the hump. (I own a v1 set, they're fun but I don't use em a ton because it's one more thing to take with me in addition to the camera that's already in my pocket)
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@rrhoover may buy today - although I'm not sure if they're releasing the rumoured $300 "pro" version. not sure if it should wait till those.
I feel like people have been especially negative toward the Spectacles and I don't understand why. I own a first generation pair and really enjoy them. They're a great way to capture memories as you go about your day. I especially enjoy using them while traveling: I take short videos throughout my trip and export them each night, giving me a fun overview video of my day. The video quality is good and the updated model is even better. While they could look a little cooler, I don't think they're terrible and I'm considering upgrading to the new ones.
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So, can I use it for Instagram?
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@andersonfsantos Yep. Just import the photos/videos via the Snapchat app then export them to your camera roll.
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@andersonfsantos nah you'll have to stay with good ol snapchat :)
@andersonfsantos@billchase2 Interesting. You have to think you lose quite a bit of resolution, and when you have already been forced to export in SD, that's pretty bad.
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I said it all :)
Pros:
Creativity and originality, at least they are trying something that others don't
Cons:
Friction is high to post on Snap, why wear big glasses to do something that you can do much easier with your phone, faster, better quality?
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You can take hands-free first-person video easier and faster with your phone?
Also can you elaborate on how the friction is high to post on Snap?
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I love that their branching out the Snapchat branding and making it their own. Also i like the Made for Snapchat in the end, sorta feels like there are more products made for snap
@kathleen_kinnaman_franz you can get your prescription added at checkout, a ton easier than when I had to order custom lenses for my v1.
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My original pair of Spectacles, which I stood in an actual line in NYC to get them from one of their Snapbots, have been a ton of fun despite a few technical issues here and there!
All that being said, I care about the photo quality and the hardware and I'm finding it hard to justify the additional $20 from the previous version. Does anyone have specs on camera quality?
@billchase2 Thank you!
A tl;dr for anyone, video quality is 1216 x 1216 vs 1088 x 1088 for video capture, photo quality is the same at 1642 x 1642 after an apparent software update for V1 spectacles.
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Another point: the video is circular when exported to camera rolls. I understand this works with the Snapchat application really well, but sometimes I want to share them more permanently and it obviously looks like a weird video when exporting anywhere else.
Effectively, need more apps like this: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/...
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@nic_acton to be honest, Iām surprised y the still photo quality Iām getting out of my v1. Iām not planning on going on a dive any time soon so Iām holding off personal for now. I donāt expect specs to output dslr quality, I just want them to be an effortless camera and they work for that. Well at least when it comes to TAKING photos and snaps. I can see how v2 will be better for transfers... but meh... is it really $20 better on top of what I paid for v1?
There's a great market for these-- wealthy young people who can afford a $150 gadget. So this might turn out to be a successful product, despite adding little of value to the world.
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As soon as these work with native Android apps (Camera, for example), you can count me in.
Pros:Feature set looks great!
Cons:Requires Snapchat which is a show-stopper.
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I said it all :)
Pros:Creativity and originality, at least they are trying something that others don't
Cons:Friction is high to post on Snap, why wear big glasses to do something that you can do much easier with your phone, faster, better quality?
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