Snapchat Spectacles on sale in UK: What are they, where can you buy them, how much do they cost?

You can now record videos using a pair of trendy glasses

Snapchat Spectacles have just launched in the UK.

The high-tech glasses let you record short videos with the push of a button, without having to get your phone out of your pocket.

They were previously only available to buy in the US, having first been unveiled in September 2016.

What are Snapchat Spectacles?

At first glance, Snapchat Spectacles look like regular sunglasses. They’re far more discreet than Google Glass, the eyewear that failed to take off because people considered it creepy.

Snapchat has made its Spectacles look trendy, and that should give them a huge boost, especially amongst youngsters.

What can you do with them?

The Spectacles feature an in-built camera, which you can activate by pressing a button on the frame, right by your left temple.

You can record a 10-second video with a single push of the button, while two pushes will get you 30 seconds of footage.

You can then transfer this to the Snapchat app (via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi on an iPhone, but only Wi-Fi on Android), where it will live in the 'Memories' section. From there, you can edit the videos and share them with your friends.

Since Spectacles record videos in a circular format, you can watch them back from any angle you want to.

Privacy fears

As mentioned above, Google Glass ultimately failed because of privacy fears, and Snapchat hopes the inclusion of indicator lights will save its Spectacles from going the same way.

When you’re recording, a collection of lights arranged in a circle will switch themselves on, in order to alert people around you.

Where can you buy them?

Snapchat is selling its Spectacles through its unusual ‘Snapbot’ vending machines, which will be stationed in secret locations around London. At the time of writing, Snapbot is near the London Eye, though it will move on shortly.

Fortunately, you can also buy a pair online. Snapchat Spectacles are available in red, blue and black – strangely enough, not yellow – and cost £129.99.

A charging case and cable comes included, as well as a cleaning cloth.