Snapchat is taking its first step out of the digital world and trying its luck in the hardware space, according to a blog post on the company’s website. Snapchat’s newest product, dubbed “Spectacles,” is a pair of sunglasses with a built-in camera that can shoot short videos and upload them directly to Snapchat.
While the product is set for a limited release this fall, Snapchat’s foray into cameras may become widely available depending on the initial reaction to the product. Users may balk at the $130 sunglasses, but shifting the viewpoint of videos to a user’s eye level could produce interesting experiences on the platform.
Regardless of the monetary considerations—and whether or not Spectacles meets the same fate as Google Glass—Snapchat's move into the hardware space is a PR statement. The company is a major tech player, not just an app. Alongside the Spectacles announcement, Snapchat announced that it’s rebranding itself as Snap Inc., CEO Evan Spiegel said in a separate blog post. The rebrand comes as the company expands its offerings beyond the Snapchat app.
Follow Mark: @MarkRenfree