Snap has introduced updated Spectacles augmented reality glasses – a fairly large device that is positioned as an intermediate link between a full-featured mixed reality headset and compact smart glasses.
Image source: snap.com
The new Snap Spectacles are a fifth-generation device designed specifically for developers. The gadget is distributed under the “hardware as a service” scheme and costs $99 per month. However, the company has provided a mandatory annual period, so in reality you will have to pay a little less than $1,200, and this does not include taxes.
The glasses are really bulky, reports TechCrunch, whose journalists had a chance to test them, and their weight is about 227 g, which is noticeably less than 635 g for the Apple Vision Pro. The implementation of augmented reality technology in practice is impressive, especially considering that we are talking about a completely autonomous device. However, the impression of visual effects and interactive functions is slightly spoiled by the small field of view. Snap, however, notes that the Spectacles 5’s 46° field of view is three times larger than the Spectacles 4’s.
The glasses are powered by two Qualcomm Snapdragon processors – one in each arm; and the Spatial Engine system in practice recognizes quite well where the user is. SnapOS based on Android is used as the software platform – this simplifies the task for developers of third-party applications. The new Snap Spectacles are released with the support of the company’s partners, including Lego, Niantic and ILM Immersive. ILM Immersive to release Star Wars game; Niantic, the company responsible for the popular Pokémon GO, will present games from Peridot and Scaniverse. Snap itself is preparing to release artificial intelligence-based video creation tools for bloggers, and its My AI chatbot will get a Google Lens visual search feature and simpler controls.