Snapchat on Friday surprised everyone with two big announcements: First, the company has changed its name from Snapchat to Snap Inc., and second, the company will sell its first-ever hardware product this fall: a pair of sunglasses with cameras on them, called "Spectacles."
Snapchat
Snap's Spectacles have already drawn many comparisons to Glass, Google's head-mounted computer that was unveiled in 2013 to much fanfare. But Google Glass ultimately failed for many reasons: It was expensive at $1,500, it was banned in many public places, and it was largely ridiculed by mainstream consumers for looking too geeky.
Here's why Snap's Spectacles can succeed where Google Glass failed.