Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, has unveiled its latest smart glasses, aptly named AR Spectacles, at its annual Partner Summit in Santa Monica, California. These glasses are packed with technology that allows users to overlay images and filters on the physical world, taking augmented reality experiences to a whole new level.
While initially only available to developers, these AR Spectacles represent Snap’s ambitious foray into the burgeoning augmented reality market. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel expressed his belief that the glasses hold immense potential to unlock the full potential of AR, going beyond the limitations of screens. He highlighted the fact that hundreds of millions of people already use AR filters on Snapchat daily, and this new hardware aims to make that technology even more accessible and seamless.
These AR Spectacles mark Snap’s fifth generation of smart glasses, showcasing their commitment to pushing the boundaries of AR technology. The company has been developing digital filters for years, and this new hardware aims to take those experiences to the next level, allowing users to interact with the world in a more immersive way.
Snap’s aggressive push into AR comes at a time when its competitor, Meta Platforms Inc., is preparing to unveil its own AR glasses prototype, dubbed Orion. This upcoming release further intensifies the rivalry between the two tech giants, both vying for dominance in the rapidly evolving AR market.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has previously acknowledged the high demand for their Ray-Ban Meta glasses, indicating the growing consumer interest in this new wave of wearable technology. Snap’s AR Spectacles are being offered to developers for a year at a cost of $99 per month, giving them a chance to experiment with the technology and build innovative AR experiences. Developers will have to return the glasses at the end of the year. This move signals Snap’s commitment to fostering an ecosystem of AR developers and encouraging the creation of unique and engaging content for their glasses.
Snap has also announced plans to release new AR features for advertisers, developers, and creators in the coming weeks. This strategic focus on expanding the capabilities of its AR platform further highlights its ambition to become the leading force in the augmented reality landscape.
