Snap’s new Spectacles look way less dorky

Snap’s original Spectacles, though designed more or less like traditional sunglasses, weren’t for everyone. The funky frame was…well, ugly, and the camera in one corner and LED flash in the other were visible from an airplane. 

The originals launched in 2016, and the company redesigned them in April 2018 (technically called Spectacles 2), making them smaller and lighter, but the design remained mostly the same. 

But on Wednesday, Snap launched Spectacles in two new styles, and these will likely appeal to anyone who wanted to try this gadget but pined for a more traditional look. 

The new styles, dubbed Nico and Veronica, still aren’t your classic Wayfarers, but they definitely don’t scream their purpose from the rooftops like the originals. This is especially true for Veronica, whose lenses have a gradient that gets darker towards the top, which makes the camera and the LED flash far less noticeable. 

Just like the originals — which, by the way, are still available in Snap’s online store — the new Spectacles take HD photos and videos, and capture audio with dual built-in microphones. They’re also water resistant. 

What’s different is the price: $199 instead of $149 for the original Spectacles. Also, the new Spectacles styles come with polarized lenses and a semi-soft protective case. 

The way Spectacles work has remained the same: tap the button on top of the frame to take a 10-second video, or tap it 3 times to capture a 30-second video. Snap said that a new feature is coming: Snapchat will automatically curate Snaps taken with your Spectacles into a Highlight Story, if you choose to do so. The feature will be rolling out to users this fall. 

The new Spectacles are available in the U.S. and Canada today, as well as several European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. And “later this fall,” you can expect to see them in select Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom stores in the U.S., and in additional retailers in Europe.