Snapchat's Video Spectacles on Sale via 'Snapbot' Vending Machines

[MacRumors]

Snapchat's video-recording Spectacles became available to buy in the U.S. on Thursday, not online or in stores, but from pop-up vending machines.

Called 'Snapbots', the giant vending machines will dispense the Spectacles in either Black, Coral or Teal, and allow customers to try them on virtually using a built-in augmented reality display.

For those unfamiliar with Snapchat's first hardware product, the $129 Spectacles are a one-size-fits-all pair of sunglasses that can record 10 seconds of video at a time and sync wirelessly with the mobile Snapchat app, which was updated on Tuesday.

According to Recode, Snapchat plans to deposit the machines "soon" throughout the U.S., with the first machine appearing in Venice Beach, California. Reminiscent of Snapchat, the machines will only remain in one location for a day before being removed. The company said it will announce new Snapbot locations 24 hours before they appear, via the "Find a Bot" map on the Spectacles website.

Upon discovering a bot, customers press one of the large circular buttons to 'try on' their chosen color of sunglasses, after which they must insert a debit or credit card to purchase. About 10 seconds passes as the transaction is processed, before the Bot's mouth lights up and the spectacles are dispensed along with a receipt.

Snapchat, now dubbed Snap, has been developing the Spectacles for years and considers them "a toy" best used at concerts and outdoor events. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel said the limited-distribution product was made "because it's fun" and the company wants people to figure out if the glasses fit into their lives.

Article Link: Snapchat's Video Spectacles on Sale via 'Snapbot' Vending Machines

 

[jmh600cbr]

I can't wait for this company to fail.

 

[ck2875]

This is actually a brilliant way to create demand for a product not many people would want otherwise-- Make it about exclusivity through random chance of finding a box nearby, impulse purchases out of fear of missing out, and being the 'cool kid' who has something others don't. I'm not saying that placing value on those ideals makes us better as a society, but that's how the world seems to work.

 

[apb89]

I can't wait for this company to fail.

I plan to invest all of my money in them when they go public.

 

[Planey28]

I can't wait for this company to fail.

Because they made a product you don't want lol?

I don't want an AirPort Extreme or a MacBook so I hope Apple fails.

 

[foxconn]

I can't wait for this company to fail.

Why? What has it done to negatively effect your life?

Don't like it? Then don't use it.

 

[dontwalkhand]

But does it take Apple Pay?

 

[SBlue1]

I can't wait for this company to fail.

What? Why bother and even take the time to post about it? LOL

 

[dwaltwhit]

$129 might be a good price for the technology, but I would be curious to see how many people pony up; a thing is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

This approach is pretty smart because it is low risk. If they don't sell, they haven't necessarily tied up alot of back stock, they haven't had to establish distribution in the traditional sense, and they can take it all down if it flops. They are trying something new and taking a risk with it; a calculated risk, but a risk nonetheless.

 

[Kaibelf]

I can't wait for this company to fail.

And I can't wait for your employer to fail. No actual reason behind it. Much like your post.

 

[Rob198612]

$49.99 would have been a better price and attracted more people.

 

[riverfreak]

Absolutely brilliant marketing and distribution. And fun to boot.

The more I read about Snap and their CEO, the more respect I have, from location of offices outside SV, to developing a fun product that looks to all extents like a Trojan horse to other markets, to marketing like this. Doing something and having fun. Good for them.

 

[GeneralChang]

That is... weird. Like, just a really weird way to distribute products in this day and age. And I'm betting a few dozen companies are wishing they'd thought of it first.

 

[b0nd18t]

The marketing is genius. When the glasses were first announced I said what a dumb product. The exclusivity makes me want one and it's still a turd product.

 

[apb89]

Weird and original. I love it personally. Snap, Inc. is here to stay. Has more engagement and growth than any of the big social apps. 'Normal' people I speak to always ask me what the deal is with Snapchat is/they don't see the point of it. I realized the best answer:

Baggage. Or lack there of.

Our lives are already bogged down with a ton of crap we do not really want, deep down. With snapchat everything is temporary yet powerful. It is all fleeting like life itself. Information that does not warrant space in your life is already gone before you are even able to fully react and feel the effects of what you just viewed.

This is what makes Snapchat awesome: you experience awesomeness without the baggage to hold you down.

 

[mojomaniak]

Wait a minute! Is that a Minion disguised as a Snapbot?

 

[Altis]

Reminds me of something from the show Black Mirror.

 

[dwaltwhit]

$49.99 would have been a better price and attracted more people.

So would $10.

Also what about the sunglasses? Are they like good? Are they UVA/UVB?

 

[Googlyhead]

This is actually a brilliant way to create demand for a product not many people would want otherwise-- Make it about exclusivity through random chance of finding a box nearby, impulse purchases out of fear of missing out, and being the 'cool kid' who has something others don't. I'm not saying that placing value on those ideals makes us better as a society, but that's how the world seems to work.

How the world seems to work is that an eBay scalper gets information on the location of such an outlet, and recruits a few non-career individuals to empty the machine for resale at 100% markup.
There's also the possible extra profit opportunity through trying out a few of those card numbers recently acquired.