• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium

2

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts

3

'The first time ever in my career': Senior Citi executive on why the ultrawealthy want to diversify away from America

1

Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium

2

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts

3

'The first time ever in my career': Senior Citi executive on why the ultrawealthy want to diversify away from America
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.
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

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
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • 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
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

OpenAI engineer’s ‘LOL’ moment set stage for legal fight with Apple
LawOpenAI
OpenAI engineer’s ‘LOL’ moment set stage for legal fight with Apple
By Mark Gurman and BloombergJuly 11, 2026
15 hours ago
Photo of Phoebe Gates
Startups & VentureEntrepreneurs
‘I have a chip on my shoulder.’ Phoebe Gates wants her $185 million AI startup Phia to succeed with ‘no ties to my privilege or my last name’
By Sydney LakeJuly 11, 2026
19 hours ago
usa
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
For 250 years, work defined American identity. That era Is ending
By Keith Ferrazzi and Wendy SmithJuly 11, 2026
20 hours ago
Meta added a privacy-safety feature to its AI glasses but is reportedly testing a ‘super-sensing’ prototype
Big TechMeta
Meta added a privacy-safety feature to its AI glasses but is reportedly testing a ‘super-sensing’ prototype
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 11, 2026
20 hours ago
How SK Hynix just pulled off the second-largest U.S. share sale by quietly powering the AI boom
AsiaIPOs
How SK Hynix just pulled off the second-largest U.S. share sale by quietly powering the AI boom
By Nicholas GordonJuly 11, 2026
21 hours ago
Why the 2026 IPO boom is about to broaden beyond AI mega-deals
InvestingFinance
Why the 2026 IPO boom is about to broaden beyond AI mega-deals
By Sheryl EstradaJuly 11, 2026
22 hours ago

Most Popular

Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
Environment
Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 10, 2026
2 days ago
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
Success
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
By Emma BurleighJuly 9, 2026
3 days ago
'The first time ever in my career': Senior Citi executive on why the ultrawealthy want to diversify away from America
Banking
'The first time ever in my career': Senior Citi executive on why the ultrawealthy want to diversify away from America
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 11, 2026
19 hours ago
U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts
Economy
U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts
By Eleanor PringleJuly 10, 2026
2 days ago
Americans are quietly abandoning the daily habit that billionaires say set them up for success—and it could have lasting consequences
Success
Americans are quietly abandoning the daily habit that billionaires say set them up for success—and it could have lasting consequences
By Preston ForeJuly 11, 2026
19 hours ago
Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it
Middle East
Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it
By Jason MaJuly 10, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 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.