Spectacles come out of the Snapbot vending machine in a plastic cylinder that pops open like a can of Pringles. Spectacles come with a bright yellow case that doubles as a charger. The case holds ...

Pearl-snap shirts have traditionally served a utilitarian purpose. The snaps allow a rancher to easily refasten the shirt if it gets snagged on barbed wire—no need to sew on a new four-hole button.

In a world filled with touchscreens, it might feel pleasantly retro to push a physical button or twist a dial to control your smartphone. That’s the thinking behind a new phone-case prototype with ...