• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Tech40 Under 40

Here’s What Spectacles Mean for Snapchat and Photography

By
TIME
TIME
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
TIME
TIME
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 21, 2016, 8:46 AM ET
Courtesy of Snap, Inc.

Getting a pair of Snapchat Spectacles is no small feat. The social messaging company started to release their highly anticipated camera equipped sunglasses last week—but, to the frustration of many, the only way to get ahold of them has been to track down one of the Snapbot vending machines that have been popping up around the country seemingly at random. Consumers are flocking to the machines, often to be turned away when supplies run out. But not all are walking away empty handed.

VaynerMedia, a digital media agency, managed to get four pairs on the first day. As soon as the first machine appeared in Los Angeles on Nov. 10, two of their colleagues were in line. They then jumped on a plane for their headquarters in New York City and within the first 24 hours the creative team had already started using the glasses on the Snapchat feeds for General Electric (GE), Mountain Dew, Sour Patch Kids, and Esquire Network.

Aside from these brand accounts, associate producer Nick Dio tested the Spectacles on his personal account, chronicling one of his typical day. Starting in the morning, Dio brought the viewers on a run through the city. He was impressed that the Spectacles allowed him to film hands free. “I would never ever take my phone out of my pocket while I’m running. It’s just annoying frankly.” But, he says, the ability to tap the sunglasses to record a video “makes it so much easier to share with people. And not as disruptive.”

My life through @Spectacles@Snapchat@Snap add me @ nickdio to see the rest. This is amazing 😁 pic.twitter.com/0y0ir8a1BF

— @nickdio (@NickDiodato) November 12, 2016

Each tap records a ten second video clip. When recording, a spinning light on the other side of the glasses lets subjects know they are being recorded. The clips are then sent to the Memories section of an user’s Snapchat account, ready to be shared.

The Spectacles record video in a circular format. This allows viewers to seamlessly rotate their phones while watching the videos, offering a more interactive viewing experience. Dio believes it will be interesting to see whether other platforms will adopt circular video as well down the line.

https://twitter.com/ow/status/779592486461313025

Dio and his colleagues, vertical video producer’s Annie Park and Juan Zuleta are excited by its potential for content that “requires you to physically use your hands and be present while you’re recording.” This could be especially beneficial for tutorials, unboxing videos, and even cooking shows. They point out that it will work well for any extreme sports as well.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

There is also potential to get close to subjects where a camera would have previously detracted from the intimacy, for example for portraits and interviews. Plus, it could offset the increasing popularity of selfies on the platform: the Spectacles force the viewer to look outward, not inward.

If the excitement surrounding Spectacles continues and they are adopted by a large number of users, they alone might change the way Snapchat is used.

Josh Raab is an Associate Photo Editor at TIME. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Time.com.

About the Author
By TIME
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Big TechSpotify
Spotify users lamented Wrapped in 2024. This year, the company brought back an old favorite and made it less about AI
By Dave Lozo and Morning BrewDecember 4, 2025
3 hours ago
InnovationVenture Capital
This Khosla Ventures–backed startup is using AI to personalize cancer care
By Allie GarfinkleDecember 4, 2025
7 hours ago
AIEye on AI
Companies are increasingly falling victim to AI impersonation scams. This startup just raised $28M to stop deepfakes in real time
By Sharon GoldmanDecember 4, 2025
8 hours ago
Jensen Huang
SuccessBillionaires
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admits he works 7 days a week, including holidays, in a constant ‘state of anxiety’ out of fear of going bankrupt
By Jessica CoacciDecember 4, 2025
8 hours ago
Ted Pick
BankingData centers
Morgan Stanley considers offloading some of its data-center exposure
By Esteban Duarte, Paula Seligson, Davide Scigliuzzo and BloombergDecember 4, 2025
8 hours ago
Zuckerberg
EnergyMeta
Meta’s Zuckerberg plans deep cuts for metaverse efforts
By Kurt Wagner and BloombergDecember 4, 2025
8 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Economy
Two months into the new fiscal year and the U.S. government is already spending more than $10 billion a week servicing national debt
By Eleanor PringleDecember 4, 2025
13 hours ago
placeholder alt text
North America
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos commit $102.5 million to organizations combating homelessness across the U.S.: ‘This is just the beginning’
By Sydney LakeDecember 2, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
‘Godfather of AI’ says Bill Gates and Elon Musk are right about the future of work—but he predicts mass unemployment is on its way
By Preston ForeDecember 4, 2025
9 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Ford workers told their CEO 'none of the young people want to work here.' So Jim Farley took a page out of the founder's playbook
By Sasha RogelbergNovember 28, 2025
6 days ago
placeholder alt text
Health
Bill Gates decries ‘significant reversal in child deaths’ as nearly 5 million kids will die before they turn 5 this year
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 4, 2025
20 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Tariffs and the $38 trillion national debt: Kevin Hassett sees ’big reductions’ in deficit while Scott Bessent sees a ‘shrinking ice cube’
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 4, 2025
7 hours ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.