Snap unveils 5th-generation AR spectacles but you can't buy one
Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, has launched its fifth-generation augmented reality (AR) Spectacles at the Partner Summit in Los Angeles. The new AR glasses are part of Snap's broader strategy to diversify its business model and establish a presence in the hardware sector. These glasses are designed to superimpose digital graphics onto the real world, a feature that Snap believes could potentially replace traditional smartphones and tablets in the future.
New AR glasses: A tool for developers
The latest Spectacle AR glasses are primarily aimed at developers, with a subscription cost of $99 per month for a year. This pricing strategy positions them as subscription-based developer smart glasses, not yet ready for general consumer use. The design of these new AR glasses is more robust than standard eyewear, featuring thick frames and lenses that utilize Snap's waveguide technology and "Liquid Crystal on Silicon micro-projectors" to enable their AR capabilities.
Enhanced visuals and user interface
Snap's new AR glasses house a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor in each arm and offer an expanded field of view, nearly three times larger than its predecessors. This enhancement is akin to having a 100-inch display in the room. The glasses also feature external cameras for world tracking and hand tracking, similar to Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest headsets. However, they do not include the eye-tracking feature found in Apple's Vision Pro.
Snap OS: A new operating system for AR glasses
Alongside the hardware, Snap has introduced a new operating system specifically designed for smart glasses, known as Snap OS. The company claims that this redesigned software can deliver superior visuals compared to previous models. The user interface of the new AR glasses has been revamped to be controlled via hand gestures and voice commands. For instance, users can summon the main menu in their palm and tap on icons to execute actions like closing an app.
Snap's journey in the hardware sector
Snap's venture into the hardware sector dates back to 2016 with the launch of its first smart glasses, priced at $130. Despite their innovative design allowing users to record short, first-person videos for Snapchat, these initial Spectacles were not commercially successful. The company also released a premium version of Spectacles in 2019 and an advanced AR model in 2021, both of which did not achieve expected sales targets.
