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Snapchat will have another crack at Spectacles this year, report claims

Snapchat will have another crack at Spectacles this year, report claims

Despite the commercial failure of its first hardware launch, Snapchat is apparently returning for another try.

Cheddar reports that Snap Inc plans to launch a second version of its camera-equipped Spectacles glasses this year followed by a third iteration in 2019.

The new design is said to feature improved performance and bug fixes, as well as other minor tweaks such as water resistance and additional colours. The third version, however, apparently represents a more drastic overhaul, with a new design including twin cameras that offer a 3D-depth effect. They may also include GPS and could retail for around $300, which is over double the $130 RRP of the failed model.

Hi-Spec

The report claims that both versions of the hardware have already missed internal deadlines, thanks in part to a failed acquisition of a Chinese drone startup and a string of layoffs within the hardware division.

Snap has, however, apparently acquired a US company called FiveFocal that specialised in advanced camera tech – an unexplained note in a recent SEC filing would seem to peg the buyout at around $47m. It is also claimed that Snap for some time pondered partnering with a third party, before opting to go it alone.

Snap previously admitted to losing around $40m on the original Spectacles product, which only sold around 150k units and ended up with vast quantities of unsold stock sitting in warehouses. However, the talk is that Snap CEO sees Spectacles as an important first step toward an augmented reality platform, which is a tech he personally believes in.

The new Spectacles are rumoured to be targeting a Q3 2018 release, although Cheddar sources reckon an early 2019 release may be more likely.


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