Snap’s new Spectacles 2 designs aren’t as terrible as expected

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

If you’ve been wanting to purchase a pair of Snap’s Spectacles but were unimpressed with their techie design, you’re in luck. Snap has now introduced two new models that look like regular glasses. Both contain the same enhancements found on the first Spectacles 2 models introduced in April. They also offer new features, according to The Verge.

The new styles, Veronica and Nico, feature polarized lenses and come with a black “semi-soft” case. Previous models offered a bright yellow hard case. Today, at launch, the new styles will be available in “limited quantities” and priced at $199. This fall, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus will offer the $199 styles at select stores.

Like before, Snap’s partner Lensabl will let customers order prescription lenses for their glasses.

Image: Snap

Snap told The Verge that since Spectacles 2 arrived earlier in the year, users have been posting, on average, 40 percent more photos and videos captured with the glasses. The company has also made it easier to share content on other platforms by adding automatic camera roll saves and by allowing users to export video in the more conventional square and horizontal formats.

Spectacles 2 are waterproof and can survive the rain. Compared to the previous version, they also include two microphones.

This fall, Snap plans on adding a new Highlight Story feature which will automatically curate a day’s best Spectacles captures. Currently, you have to do that manually.

Do you use Spectacles or are thinking about buying a pair? The new designs look pretty good, no? Let us know in the comments below.

In other tech news:

• ‘Snapchat dysmorphia’ is a thing that exists now because the human species is doomed
• After bad redesigns and poor jokes, people aren’t using Snapchat as often
• Some Snapchat Lenses now activate with voice, because making faces wasn’t obnoxious enough

Bryan M. Wolfe

Bryan considers himself a well-rounded techie, having written articles for MakeUseOf, KnowTechie, AppAdvice, iDownload Blog. When he's not writing, he's being a single dad and rooting for his alma mater, Penn State, or cheering on the Patriots.