![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Snapchat begins sales of newly released Spectacles
Bryan Wang (9) wears a pair of Spectacles while posing with a group of friends for a selfie.
March 28, 2017
Snap began their online sales of their Spectacles in February, a pair of glasses with cameras compatible with iOS and Android built for the Snapchat app initially sold last November.
The Spectacles can record 10-30 second circular videos with the press of a button on the top of its frame and upload them to Snapchat or your camera roll through bluetooth or with Wi-Fi for HD video. They also function as sunglasses.
“Just like any other piece of new technology, I’d probably be pretty excited with it over the first couple of days, but after a few weeks, I would return to my normal snapchat usage,” Kevin Xu (11) said. “Snapchat is a very spontaneous app for me so being forced to bring the glasses is a big investment. Using a phone is just easier.”
Snap first sold Spectacles through vending machines called bots by the company first appearing in Los Angeles which generating media buzz and anticipation. The “bots” stay in locations temporarily and their next location can be found on Snap’s website or other online sources such as the SnapbotLocation twitter.
Offering the Spectacles in three colors, coral, black and teal, with its charging case and cable, the company ships the product within two to four weeks.
With their competitors’ products, ranging from $189 (Vue’s Kickstarter backed smart glasses) to $2750 (Osterhout Design Group’s R-7 smart glasses system), the Spectacles, at $129.99, is one of the cheapest products in the wearable smart eyeglass market.
While the smart eyewear market is becoming more specialized and ambitious as companies such as Recon Instruments and Solos seek to improve sports performance and the Osterhout Design Group and Sony pursue augmented reality and advanced functions for their glasses, Snap has focused on aesthetic and simplicity for the Spectacles.
Initially developed by Vergence Labs, a company acquired by Snapchat in 2014 for $15 million, the Spectacles, which can capture about 100 ten second snaps on one charge, charge in their case, which holds four full charges.
“Being able to view, capture, and share one’s moments through these spectacles is extremely special since it would be directly from one’s line of sight.” Sohenee Banerjee (11) said. “The fact that moments can be captured for longer than the 10 second time limit Snapchat allows on Androids and iPhones is also a huge plus.”
