Snapchat planning Google Glass style augmented reality glasses?

Snapchat may be looking to make the jump from software to hardware, with as set of augmented reality glasses, according to a news report.

The Financial Times reported this week that Snapchat has joined the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the not-for-profit body that oversees development of the popular wireless standard.

Joining the Bluetooth SIG is noteworthy in that membership is required for any device maker that wants to use the wireless technology in a hardware device.

Back in March, CNET highlighted the fact that Snapchat had added nearly a dozen wearable technology veterans to its payroll.

According to LinkedIn profiles, the engineers had previously worked with established hardware players including Logitech and Nokia.

One source that The Financial Times spoke with said Snapchat has been working with contract manufacturers to build prototype headsets.

The idea seems to be to allow users to capture pictures and video for use on Snapchat without actually having to pull out their smartphone.

Snapchat declined to comment on the matter.

Analysis- is there a customer need for Snapchat glasses?

Stephen Morgan, the Co-founder of Squiz, coometed on the news: “Following the news that Snapchat is building a Google Glass-style augmented reality headset, many businesses will be left wondering whether augmented, or virtual, reality is something that they should be investing in. However, as we continue to see big brands investing in these innovative technologies, it’s important that businesses do not fall victim to investing in a platform that won’t actually service their customer’s needs.

“There has long been the misconception that a digital transformation project means implementing the newest cutting edge technology. However, by taking this approach, businesses lose sight of what they are actually trying to achieve. Instead, businesses should look at their customers’ needs first, and build the content that will be useful for them, which can be served from a single source, no matter the channel. For example, in our recent research report we found that 36% of businesses in the UK still do not have a mobile-optimized website or app – the chances are, if your business hasn’t mastered this yet, it’s unlikely that customers will be demanding augmented reality.

“Businesses should be careful not to look through the wrong lens when making decisions. Instead of considering which technology to use, businesses should be looking at their digital transformation strategy from a customer-centric perspective – what does the customer actually want, and how do they want to access it? When projects are thought of in this way, customers will be served with content that will be useful for them, in the way that they want it.”