New sunglasses can record HD video, snap photos, and stream video live to social media sites

Back in September 2016, Snapchat parent Snap introduced a new product called Spectacles. Basically a cheap pair of sunglasses with an embedded video camera, the device was priced at $129.99 and recorded 10 seconds of video everytime the "record button" was tapped. A maximum of 30 seconds could be recorded and uploaded to social media. Originally sold out of a vending machine that moved from location to location, the company announced last October that in one year it had sold over 150,000 units, 50% more than expected. Once Snapchat started selling them online, sales began to tumble.

Now, skateboard manufacturer Acton is offering the next pair of tech-enabled sunglasses. Dubbed ACE Eyewear, these specs can record HD video, snap photos, and live stream video to social media sites. Acton co-founder Peter Treadway says "Tech-enabled sunglasses have so much potential, but haven’t fully taken off yet because they haven’t been designed with style in mind to look like glasses that people actually want to wear." ACE Eyewear might be considered more fashionable than Snap's Spectacles, but we will have to leave that for consumers to decide.

The camera used on the glasses features an 8MP sensor with a 120 degree wide angle view, and captures 40 minutes of  HD video. The device is equipped with 4GB of memory and 10 hours of battery life, which includes 1.5 hours of continuous recording. The glasses will be sold for $199 a pair when they launch this summer, but if you pre-order now the price is just $99.

Click on the video at the top of the story to see how a pair of Ace Eyeware recorded racing from inside a car at Sonoma Raceway. If you want to reserve a pair of ACE Eyeware, tap on the sourcelink below.

source: Acton via BGR