Snap unveiled Snapchat Spectacles 2.0 and is already raising questions on whether it will be better than the original Spectacles that was released in November 2016.
The first Snapchat Spectacles was launched with massive fanfare, with its popularity being attributed to the fact that it was nothing like the Google Glass. The hype surrounding the Spectacles, however, quickly died down, resulting in disappointing sales.
Snapchat Spectacles 2.0 vs Original Spectacles
According to an exclusive report by Cheddar last month, Snap was working on new Spectacles models, despite weak sales for the social media-centric smart glasses. The second version was reportedly being released this year, with a third version to be launched in 2019.
The report turned out to be real, with Snap announcing Snapchat Spectacles 2.0 as an "even better" version of the original with several new features and improvements.
Snapchat Spectacles 2.0 now allows users to take pictures, compared to the original Spectacles which only recorded videos. The new Spectacles also promises quicker transferring of HD content through a new Wi-Fi chip, along with better audio due to having two microphones.
The new Spectacles comes in three colors, namely Onyx, Ruby, and Sapphire, with each color offering either a light or dark shade for the lenses. It also comes with a thinner and sleeker frame plus water-resistant capabilities, which will allow wearers to keep taking pictures and recording videos even when beside a pool or on the beach.
The second-generation Spectacles, however, is a bit more expensive than the first-generation Spectacles, with the price being bumped up from $130 to $150, including the cable and charging case. It is now available on the official Spectacles website.
While Snapchat Spectacles 2.0 offers many more features than the original Spectacles, it remains to be seen whether they are enough to make more Snapchat users actually purchase the smart glasses.
What Will Snapchat Spectacles 3.0 Be Like?
With the Cheddar report spot on regarding Snapchat Spectacles 2.0, it may be safe to assume that the report was also correct regarding Snapchat Spectacles 3.0.
The third-generation Spectacles was described as a more ambitious take on the device. It will reportedly have an aluminum design, more circular frames, two cameras with depth effects to make videos look more 3D, and possibly GPS.
Snapchat Spectacles 3.0 is expected to be priced at $300, though, which is double the cost of Snapchat Spectacles 2.0.
It still remains unclear why Snap would move ahead with new Snapchat Spectacles models, when the company suffered a $40 million loss due to poor sales of the smart glasses. We will just have to wait and see if the new Spectacles will turn things around for Snap's foray into hardware.
