Snapchat kicks off online sales of iPhone-connected Spectacles

Spectacles, a pair of camera glasses developed and manufactured by Snapchat, are no longer exclusively distributed via the company’s pop-up vending machines, called Snapbots. Today, Spectacles became available for purchase online, CNET reported Monday. Available in three vivid colors and expected to ship in 2-4 weeks, the $130 Google Glass-like accessory is now available online via spectacles.com.

Snapchat’s hip video sunglasses include a built-in battery and camera lens with a 115-degree field of view. As soon as you press a button on the top, Spectacles start recording video up to a maximum of ten seconds. The device automatically synchronizes recorded clips with your smartphone via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

LED lights on the glasses light up during video capture. The videos taken on the glasses can be individually uploaded in the Memories section of Snapchat.

The pair of glasses ship with a charging case that has a built-in battery similar to Apple’s AirPods charging case. The fully-charged case will hold enough power to recharge the glasses four times, according to Snapchat. TechCrunch said that extra cases ($50) and ($10) are now being removed from Amazon.

A Snapchat spokesperson has confirmed that its New York City store has been shuttered recently, adding that the firm’s vending machines will soon begin to crop up in the US after a short “nap”. Spectacles are paired with a smartphone by looking at your account Snapcode. A quick press of the button on the glasses frame then pairs the accessory with your iOS device via Bluetooth.

Spectacles cost $130 and come in three color options: Coral, Black and Teal.

You can order yours online at spectacles.com. The smart glasses are compatible with any iPhone model with iOS 8 or later, from iPhone 5 onward. According to Snapchat, iPhone SE owners must update to iOS 10 to avoid issues with pairing.

Source: CNET