New Smart Glasses from Snapchat’s Parent Company

Snapchat’s parent company, Snap Inc, has unveiled a new line of smart glasses called Specs. This marks a significant step for the company, as it follows up on its earlier attempt at smart glasses a decade ago, which ended in financial losses.

The Specs are designed to offer an augmented reality (AR) experience, allowing users to see digital elements overlaid onto the real world. The glasses will be available this autumn and come with a price tag of $2,195 (£1,636). While this is more affordable than Apple’s Vision Pro headset, which starts at $3,499, it is still significantly pricier than Meta’s range of smart glasses, which costs between $224 and $499.

Evan Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of Snap Inc, described the launch as “the beginning of a new era in computing.” However, market analyst Ben Hatton from FDM CCS Insight believes the high price may prevent the device from becoming mainstream. He noted that the primary audience for Snapchat, younger consumers, rarely have the budget for such an expensive gadget.

To pre-order the Specs, a refundable deposit of $200 is required. The glasses will be shipped to the US, UK, and France. According to Snap, the Specs are intended for everyday use. However, the battery life averages only four hours before needing a recharge. A charging case can provide up to 20 hours of additional battery life.

Unlike Meta’s Ray-Ban and Oakley models, the Specs do not require a smartphone connection. They also differ from Apple’s Vision Pro, which is primarily used at home and requires a wired connection to a battery pack. Hatton pointed out that while this improves wearability and mobility, it comes at the cost of reduced battery performance.

Users of the Specs will be able to interact with an AI assistant to perform tasks like getting directions or asking questions about objects they observe. The glasses will also support video watching, web browsing, AR gaming, and recording what the user sees through the lenses.

Smart glasses have faced criticism over privacy concerns, particularly due to their potential misuse for filming people without consent. In February, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) sent a letter to Meta after reports that data workers in Kenya had to watch videos of individuals engaging in private activities filmed using Meta’s smart glasses.

Spiegel emphasized the importance of privacy, stating, “Specs only work if people trust them.” To address these concerns, the Specs include a built-in light that glows when the device is recording. Snap also claims users will have control over data storage, syncing, sharing, and deletion.

Following the announcement at the Augmented World Expo conference in California, Snap Inc shares dropped by approximately 9%.

Key Features of the Specs

  • Augmented Reality Experience: Users can view digital elements overlaid onto the real world.
  • Price Point: Priced at $2,195, making it more affordable than Apple’s Vision Pro but more expensive than Meta’s options.
  • Battery Life: Four hours of average use before requiring a recharge, with a charging case offering up to 20 hours of additional battery life.
  • No Smartphone Tether: Unlike some competitors, the Specs do not need to be connected to a smartphone.
  • AI Assistant: Allows users to complete tasks like getting directions or asking questions about objects.
  • Privacy Measures: Includes a built-in light to indicate when recording is active and gives users control over data management.