Introduction to Snap’s New Specs
Late in 2024, Snap teased the fifth generation Spectacles, its augmented reality smart glasses. At the time, the glasses were only just becoming available to device developers who could rent a pair for $99 a month. Today, throughout the Augmented World Exhibition (AWE) 2025, the general public will get to don the brand new rebranded Specs in 2026. Specs are AI-assisted, with Snap claiming that developers have already got various "latest experiences" ready for the brand new Spectacles.
What to Expect from the New Specs
“We imagine the time is correct for a revolution in computing that naturally integrates our digital experiences with the physical world, and we will’t wait to publicly launch our latest Specs next 12 months,” said Evan Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of Snap Inc., in a press release. Some of those tools we got to see last 12 months, and again during a demo in April. These include Pool Assist, which helps you make higher plays on the billiards table. There’s also Super Travel that’s alleged to translate signs, menus and other text while abroad.
Design and Features
As for the shape factor, the developer glasses we got to check are fairly bulky. Spiegel announced during AWE 2025 that the brand new ones can be lighter and a "much smaller form factor." "No bulky headset, no puck, no tether, no phone required," Spiegal said during his keynote. "They’re fully standalone, lightweight, immersive AR glasses, powered by Snapdragon, with an operating system built from the bottom up for augmented reality."
Snap OS Updates
Before the brand new Specs arrive, Snap can also be upgrading Snap OS with 4 "major" updates. These will mostly affect developers, but for the general public, you will note latest Lenses that the Specs will have the ability to access. The updates include:
- OpenAI and Google Gemini integration: Developers will have the ability to construct "multimodal AI-powered lenses" that may be utilized in apps for the glasses, like translation in Super Travel or recipe suggestions in Cookmate.
- Depth module API: This translates "2D information" from LLMs to "anchor AR information accurately" in 3D.
- Automated Speech recognition: This enables real-time transcription and supports over 40 languages.
- Snap3D API: Lets developers create 3D objects "on the fly."
Conclusion
Snap didn’t provide a selected launch month or date, so we do not know when exactly in 2026 the updated Spectacles will actually arrive. However, with the brand new features and updates, it’s clear that Snap is committed to creating a huge impact on the planet of augmented reality. As the general public waits for the discharge of the brand new Specs, one thing is definite – the longer term of computing is looking more integrated and immersive than ever.
