If you didn’t know, Snapchat just released its Snap Specs for $2,200. I've seen creators wearing cameras on necklaces and POV (point-of-view) content captured on Meta Glasses while scrolling through my TikTok feed. However, there doesn't seem to be any widespread adoption comparable to creators filming with a DSLR or iPhone. Outside of short-form content, will we see a trend where wearables revolutionize the way artists create content in the future?
Who’s Buying These Products?
When I heard that Snap was working on wearable glasses, I figured they’d be more similar to its previous versions that cost under $400 (they were basically sunglasses with cameras on them). Snap has made it clear that the main audience for its new wearable isn’t creators. Instead, it’s targeting early AR adopters and tech users. It seems like Snap is pivoting away from how creators capture content and focusing more on how early tech adopters integrate AR and AI into their lives. This is different from the direction that Meta is going in with their new partnership with Kylie, focusing more on affordability and content creation.
There are creators who have built their platforms around wearable tech. Natasha Zhatko (@natashahasthemunchies), for example, regularly uses the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses to capture her content. This makes sense because her content mostly consists of walking around the city and trying new restaurants. This POV-style content is where I think wearables make the most sense.
We’re Still A Long Way From Wearables Becoming Mainstream
The reality is that until wearables provide a function that creators actually need, recording video and audio is really the only reason they're using them right now. I do see wearables making a big difference in IRL live-streaming in the future. Imagine being able to walk around outside, read chat through your glasses, and not have to rely on a camera operator following you around. But we're still far from that reality. Historically, the biggest problem with wearables has been short battery life (3–4 hours for Meta glasses).
I think the bigger question is whether creators even need anything more than cameras mounted to glasses or necklaces? At the end of the day, the iPhone in your pocket is still the single most important piece of hardware shaping how content is created. Strap that to your head and call it a day. I should also say that I don’t want to live in a dystopian world where everyone is filming with smart glasses 24/7.
The Big Takeaway
Wearables won't become mainstream for creators until they solve a problem that existing cameras and smartphones can't. Right now, they're mostly useful for POV content, while the iPhone remains the most important tool in content creation. The biggest opportunity for wearables may be IRL live-streaming, but the technology still isn't there yet. Until battery life and functionality improve, widespread adoption is unlikely. For now, creators are sticking with the tools they already know work.
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