Gadget of the Week – Spectacles V2

Published on July 12, 2018

If that description of the latest gadget from Snapchat - the Spectacles V2 - sounds like an example of damning with faint praise, well… It kind of is, really.

But consider the checkered history of camera-enabled glasses. Remember Google Glass? Remember Spectacles V1? While both of those high-profile wearables offered some interesting features, they will both ultimately be remembered more or less as buzzy misfires, never able to fully connect with the public.

An example of this tech that you can actually get users excited about? One that can transcend the kitsch factor, and actually function as a stylish, useful accessory? That would be a big deal, indeed. And Spectacles V2 might just be the pair of shades to deliver on the camera functionality and that crucial cool factor, all at the same time.

Billing themselves as “sunglasses that capture your world, the way you see it,” Spectacles V2 have one thing going for them: They’re visibly stylish, coming in multiple colors and featuring a curved design that would look suitable at the beach, on your way to work, or even at a party. They’re also thin enough to fit into a pocket, and don’t come with any obvious, clunky design choices (a problem that many critics had with the first generation Spectacles).

They also promise to be fairly durable and portable; Spectacles V2 are water-resistant, and should be able to take up to 70 videos on a single charge. You can also seamlessly sync up your Spectacles with your smartphone, letting you immediately upload your favorite videos to Snapchat, or export your still images or streams to your device’s photo gallery to share elsewhere. As for charging, you can juice up your Spectacles right in the included camera case, which should be able to deliver up to four charges before it needs to be refueled.

On the technical side, the Spectacles V2 automatically record in HD, and the included microphone is said to be a significant step up from the audio specs of the first generation glasses. Plus, how’s this for functionality: You can actually get your Spectacles V2 fitted with prescription lenses, for just a small upcharge.

Ready to start capturing high-quality images and videos, without having to strap on a clunky camera or dig out your smartphone? You can get your hands (or is it eyes?) on Spectacles V2 right now for roughly $150, via Snap Inc.’s official store.

Think there are any other wearables our team of gadget geeks should try? Want to talk all things Snapchat, including its role in your brand’s digital marketing efforts? We’d love to hear from you! Don’t hesitate to drop us a line today, or get in touch on Facebook or Twitter to keep the conversation going!