Snapchat unveils new "Spectacles"
Snapchat
A redesigned version of Snapchat's camera eyeglasses called "Spectacles" is now available in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and France, with additional countries in Europe to follow on May 3.
Why it matters: Snapchat has previously struggled with its older version of Spectacles, and the company took a $40 million write down for excess inventory last fall. At the time, CEO Evan Spiegel said they "made the wrong decision" with regard to their Spectacles product.
This isn't a total shocker. An FCC document revealed Snap was working on new Spectacles glasses earlier this month.
What they're saying: Addressing the company's write-down, Snapchat said its goal with the first generation of Spectacles "was to get the world comfortable with the idea of wearing a camera on their face, and introduce them to content taken from their personal perspective." But the company conceded it made some business planning mistakes, and intends to learn from them.
Details: The new Spectacles are now waterproof and are available in three new colors. A Snap spokesperson added that they're also more comfortable to wear, thanks to a smaller profile.