Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

Snapchat's Spectacles: Not Just for Millennials Many will compare Spectacles to Google Glass, but that's not the case.

By Tim Bajarin

This story originally appeared on PCMag

Snapchat Spectacles

Late last month, Snapchat revealed its first hardware product, a pair of camera-equipped smart glasses known as Spectacles.

Many will compare Spectacles to Google Glass, but I encourage you to resist the urge. While a healthy bit of skepticism is warranted, Spectacles are quite different from Google's high-tech specs; if anything, they are more akin to a GoPro. Spectacles will also only set you back $130 whereas Google Glass cost $1,500.

Most importantly, in the eyes of its target demographic, Snapchat -- now known as Snap Inc. as it moves beyond its core app -- is much cooler than Google.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel recounted using an early Spectacles prototype during a 2015 hike. "When I got the footage back and watched it, I could see my own memory, through my own eyes -- it was unbelievable," he told the paper. "It's one thing to see images of an experience you had, but it's another thing to have an experience of the experience. It was the closest I'd ever come to feeling like I was there again."

Anyone who has used a GoPro understands the value of this statement. Kids record themselves skateboarding, bike riding, hiking, skiing, snowbarding, swimming and more. We may as well rename them The Capture Generation. It's the demographic that Snap understands and, as this chart shows, courts.

However, I suspect an older demographic will be interested in Spectacles, too. Boomers are active picture takers and having a real-time video camera on their person would give them more flexibility in what they capture. They also have more travel and leisure time. Personally, I often see interesting things in my travels that I neglect to capture, so having a quick tap-to-record device constantly at the ready would be quite useful.

But Spectacles could have a more practical purpose as personal dashcams of sorts. The fixed positions of actual dashcams make them relatively limited. But if I were wearing Spectacles, I'd get a more accurate view of my surroundings. It could even be of use for law enforcement.

It can be difficult to predict how a specific piece of hardware will perform in the market. That being said, the concept is sound and having a capture device that looks like something most of us already wear -- sunglasses -- and less like, well, Google Glass, is a good first step. You can bet that other companies will follow with more stylish alternatives or team with Snap Inc. on various design options. Still, hardware is hard. Snap Inc. will need to pull together a polished team before we take Spectacles more seriously.

Tim Bajarin

Columnist

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

This Is the Winning Formula for Starting a Successful Podcast, According to a New Analysis

A new study analyzed the top 50 podcasts in the U.S. and found many things in common. Here's what to know.

Branding

Why You Need a Customer Mission Statement if You Want a Successful Organization

Traditional mission statements focus on the company, not the customer. To create a more customer-centric organization, start with changing your mission statement by giving it an external focus.

Growing a Business

3 Effective Engagement Tactics to Help Small Businesses Create Authentic Connections With Customers

Enhance your customer experience and foster stronger customer relationships using these three strategies.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.