Snap Spectacles are getting a bigger rollout - no more vending machines?

You might actually be able to get hold of a pair of these trendy camera glasses
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Snap's Spectacles pop-up vending machines were the talk of wearable tech at the end of 2016 but we couldn't help wondering if the momentum would last.

It turns out the makers of Snapchat are pretty happy with the flash campaign for its $130 hipster smartglasses that capture round video straight from the frame.

So much so, that in a recent filing ahead of its $3 billion IPO, Snap said: "We plan to significantly broaden the distribution of Spectacles." To be more precise, it's planning to spend more money in 2017 on inventory, product innovation marketing and distribution.

Read this: SnapChat Spectacles - revolution or passing fad? You tell us

Now, don't go thinking that's because Snap (formerly Snapchat) made a ton of money from these things. They have been so limited edition that it's no surprise that the launch "has not generated significant revenue" yet.

But that won't be a concern for a while - Snap is raising money on a valuation of over $20 billion. Indeed, it sees its mission as creating "innovative and different camera products that are better able to reflect and improve our life experiences." Not just the app, then.

One hint that Spectacles are going to do more to rehabilitate Google Glass-style facewear is the acquisition of Israeli AR startup Cimagine late in 2016 plus rumours of Snap hiring a bunch of AR experts.

Stay tuned for more concrete details on Snap's Spectacles plans for 2017.

Source: SEC

Snap Spectacles are getting a bigger rollout - no more vending machines?

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Sophie was Wareable's associate editor. She joined the team from Stuff magazine where she was an in-house reviewer. For three and a half years, she tested every smartphone, tablet, and robot vacuum that mattered. 

A fan of thoughtful design, innovative apps, and that Spike Jonze film, she is currently wondering how many fitness tracker reviews it will take to get her fit. Current bet: 19.

Sophie has also written for a host of sites, including Metro, the Evening Standard, the Times, the Telegraph, Little White Lies, the Press Association and the Debrief.

She now works for Wired.


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