Snap Unveils SPECS Augmented Reality Glasses

Snap Inc. has officially introduced its latest innovation, SPECS, a pair of augmented reality glasses designed as a portable computer. The glasses are available for pre-order at a price of $2,195, with deliveries set to commence this fall in the U.S., U.K., and France.

These glasses operate independently, eliminating the need for a smartphone or any external connections. They weigh between 132 and 136 grams and are constructed from durable TR90 polymer. Key specifications include a 51-degree field of view, dual Snapdragon processors, a signal latency of 7 milliseconds, and a battery life of up to 4 hours on a single charge, extendable to 20 hours with the charging case.

Notably, the lenses feature an electrochromic coating that allows them to automatically adjust tint within 10 seconds based on ambient lighting. SPECS run on Snap's proprietary Snap OS, which supports gesture and voice controls, enabling access to navigation, work tools, and educational applications.

To enhance user experience, Snap has released an updated Lens Studio toolkit for developers to create augmented reality effects. This system also incorporates AI assistants that analyze the environment in real-time.

Data privacy is a priority for Snap, as the glasses come equipped with an LED indicator that illuminates during video recording. Most data processing occurs directly on the device, minimizing cloud reliance, and users have control over their sync history and recording deletions.

This launch comes shortly after Meta's removal of facial recognition features from its latest smart glasses version, responding to privacy concerns highlighted in a recent investigation.