Introduction to Augmented Reality Smart Glasses
Snap, the corporate behind the favored photo-messaging app, has equipped its next generation of smart glasses with augmented reality (AR) technology. This move goals to foster stronger ties with content creators and potentially open one other media channel for marketers to interact with consumers. The limited release of those smart glasses amongst creators may help drum up interest in AR wearables before they’re sold to most people.
What are Augmented Reality Smart Glasses?
Augmented reality smart glasses are wearable devices that show digital images on their lenses, allowing the wearer to view information in a more immersive fashion. Several firms, including Apple and Facebook, are developing similar wearables, in search of to select up where Google left off with its Glass headsets that failed to achieve traction amongst consumers. According to Neil Mawston, executive director of wireless device strategies at Strategy Analytics, "It’s still early at once within the AR space with only a few industrial devices on the market. Loads of players within the industry are talking and considering and speaking about AR, but it surely’s more about planning and experimenting."
Snap’s Approach to AR Smart Glasses
Snap introduced its AR-equipped Spectacles in May at its annual Snap Partner Summit. Unlike previous generations of Spectacles, the brand new models will not be yet ready for consumer purchase. Instead, Snap is distributing them to pick out creators who make Lenses, the favored AR feature in Snapchat for decorating selfies and pictures with digital imagery. The limited release is paying homage to Google’s marketing for its Glass headset, which was introduced in 2013 to qualified "Glass Explorers" within the U.S. before being made available to the general public a 12 months later.
Geared for Creators
The Spectacles have several features that make AR content more interactive, somewhat than a passive viewing experience. Their 30-minute battery life is currently not geared for prolonged wear, but Snap emphasized how creators can use the wearable device of their experiments with AR content. By supporting its creative community, Snap is laying the groundwork for more AR applications down the road inside sales and marketing. The Spectacles are integrated with Lens Studio, Snap’s desktop software for creating and distributing AR content. The wearable device has two cameras to capture video and to support a Scan feature that means a Lens based on a wearer’s unique field of view.
Measuring Consumer Need
Snap’s more cautious approach with its AR-enabled Spectacles this time around is warranted until consumers show more of a necessity for wearable devices that provide hands-free functionality together with the flexibility of smartphones. Still, people could also be more willing to purchase AR glasses from a tech company that has a track record of developing hardware. For that reason, Strategy Analytics’ Mawston predicts an organization like Apple might be a significant player in the event of consumer-facing AR headsets in the subsequent two to a few years. Apple is alleged to be developing quite a lot of headsets, though its standalone AR headset is not expected to be ready for several years.
Conclusion
The development of augmented reality smart glasses is an exciting and rapidly evolving field. With firms like Snap, Apple, and Facebook investing in AR technology, we are able to expect to see more revolutionary and interactive wearable devices in the longer term. As the technology continues to enhance and consumer demand increases, AR smart glasses may develop into a significant player within the tech industry, offering latest and exciting ways for people to interact with information and one another. Whether or not AR smart glasses will develop into a mainstream phenomenon stays to be seen, but one thing is definite – the longer term of technology is looking brighter and more immersive than ever.
