Snapchat Spectacles make US Open debut
A grand slam first, vending machines with Snapchat Spectacles will make an appearance at the US Open.
The smart glasses will protect spectators from the sun, while giving them the ability to take snaps and short videos at the touch of a button. What sets Spectacles’ footage apart is that they capture the human perspective with a 115 degree field of view that resembles the human eye’s natural field of view.
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One of the world’s biggest tennis tournaments, the US Open is the modern version of the US National Championship which dates all the way back to 1881. The tournament is well known for innovation and it is upholding that tradition this year.
“Our objective with this campaign is to encourage fans to organically share their US Open experience,” said USTA Chief Marketing Officer Amy Choyne.
“Spectacles give a one-of-a-kind vantage point because they capture your memories just the way you see them.”
The Spectacles, which come with a $129.99 price tag, were launched late last year. By tapping a button on the top left-hand corner of the glasses, the recording mode is activated and 10 seconds of video is captured. A second tap activates 30 seconds of continuous video recording.
“We strive to surprise and delight visitors to the US Open, while reshaping and enhancing the way fans can share their on-site experience,” said USTA Director of Social Media & Strategy Qianna Smith-Bruneteau.
“Spectacles offers fans a new sense of discoverability of our grounds in a fresh content format.”
To mark the occasion, Bethanie Mattek-Sands took to the skies to accompany a delivery of a Snapbot vending machine to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The US professional tennis player is presently ranked number one in the women’s doubles rankings.
The US Open is held annually, starting on the last Monday in August. The spectacles will be available for purchase throughout the tournament, and on Saturday August 26th, during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. Those not attending may be happy to know, the intelligent sunglasses have recently become available for purchase on Amazon.
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