Snap is preparing to ship its new Specs augmented reality glasses, a $2,195 wearable computer that combines see-through displays, artificial intelligence and gesture-based controls as the company expands beyond smartphones into spatial computing.
The glasses are currently available for pre-order in the US, UK and France, with shipping expected to begin later this fall. Snap will also begin offering public demonstrations in Los Angeles from October 1.
Specs are designed as a standalone device rather than an accessory dependent on a smartphone or external computing unit. The glasses use dual Snapdragon processors, with separate computing resources for computer vision and augmented reality experiences.
Snap has equipped the device with see-through waveguide displays offering a 51-degree field of view and support for 16 million colours. The glasses also feature electrochromic lenses that can shift between clear and tinted states, allowing digital content to remain visible under different lighting conditions.
Users can interact with digital objects using hand gestures and voice commands. Snap is positioning the device for applications spanning navigation, communication, entertainment, shopping, education and workplace productivity. Demonstrations have included real-time language translation, navigation guidance, video viewing and digital objects anchored within a user's physical surroundings.
Artificial intelligence is becoming another part of the product strategy. Snap has introduced Specs Intelligence, an AI service designed to work across the glasses, iPhone and Mac. The system can use information from services that users choose to connect to understand goals, routines and priorities, with the aim of surfacing relevant assistance when needed.
The hardware, however, comes with limitations that could affect broader consumer adoption. Hands-on testing cited by Geeky Gadgets puts mixed-use battery life at around three to four hours. The publication also reported inconsistent hand tracking in some environments and noted the comparatively large form factor.
Specs are available in 47mm and 52mm sizes, weighing 132 grams and 136 grams respectively. Snap also supports removable prescription inserts.
The company has spent more than a decade developing its augmented reality technology, spanning displays, computer vision, developer tools and its proprietary Specs operating system. It has also built an AR developer ecosystem around Lens Studio.
Snap's move comes as technology companies increasingly explore glasses as another interface for AI. Unlike camera-first smart glasses that primarily rely on audio assistance, Specs place digital information directly within the user's field of view.
At $2,195, the device enters the market at a premium price point. Its commercial uptake will provide an early indication of whether consumers are ready to move from AI-enabled eyewear towards more immersive augmented reality computing.
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