Snap ups fashion factor with new Spectacles

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Spectacles
Discreet filming in two new fashionable frames.
Photo: Snap Inc.

Spectacles by Snap are now a little easier on the eyes thanks to two new styles that add a fashionable flair to the wearable video camera.

The new Spectacles couldn’t look more different. Each has straighter lines and sharp corners, looking more like classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer frames, and should appeal to those turned off by the circular frames.

Snap hopes the new camera frames, named Nico and Veronica, will grow engagement to its popular Snapchat app. Since rolling out its second-gen model last year, users have posted 40 percent more photos and videos captured with Spectacles, the company says.

Spectacles
Veronica and Nico, two new styles of Spectacles from Snap.
Photo: Snap Inc.

Snapchat the app became Snap Inc., following the release of Spectacles in 2016 with an eye on growing into a more diverse media company. In March 2017, the company made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange but is yet to turn a profit.

Snap announced some good news earlier this year, reporting lower losses than expected in the fourth quarter on about $286 million in revenue.

The chicer frames could feed the flow of the revenue stream from Spectacles.

In addition to two new looks, Snap has made it easier for Spectacles wearers to share content to other platforms. Users can export video in square or horizontal forms and add automatic camera roll saves. Later this year, Snap expects to introduce a firmware update called Highlight Story, which will automatically edit a day’s worth of videos and still pictures.

The new models, which also feature polarized lenses, are available in limited quantities today on the Snap website starting at $199. This fall, the new Spectacles will go on sale at Norstrom and Neiman Marcus stores.

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