Snap Inc. is poised to bring the sixth gen of its consumer augmented reality smartglasses to market. Look forward to the opening in 2026! Their new line of glasses will be called “Specs.” This name represents a new beginning, abandoning the old Spectacles branding associated with past wearable Flmissions.
CEO Evan Spiegel shared the news in a passionate presentation that took place in Los Angeles on September 17, 2024. The announcement fits into Snap’s recent pattern of pushing the boundaries of what is possible with augmented reality technology. The Specs will open the door to more user-friendly features that build off the expanded functionality from the company’s 2021 overhaul. That update allowed users to project virtual imagery onto their actual world around them.
Snap’s augmented reality story starts back in 2016 with the debut of the first Spectacles at $130. Originally made to allow users to record hands-free video clips for Snapchat, these glasses have changed considerably over the last five years. In September 2024, the company released its new edition of Spectacles exclusively to developers. This strategic step demonstrates Snap’s ongoing dedication to refining the user experience and broadening the platform’s capabilities.
Under the previous leasing model, users paid $99 a month for one year for Snap’s glasses. Specs has only just released, and we’ll soon find out whether or not Snap continues on this model. In addition, they should explore alternative pricing approaches, if necessary, to broaden consumer access to their new product.
Spiegel was excited by the innovations in artificial intelligence, machine learning and other technologies that are creating a new reality for wearables.
“We couldn’t be more excited about the extraordinary progress in artificial intelligence and augmented reality that is enabling new, human-centered computing experiences.” – Evan Spiegel
Snap’s evolution from Spectacles to Specs is an admirable one, as the company tries to remain competitive in a quickly evolving technological world. With the growing interest in augmented reality, this is a pretty intrepid step. By integrating cutting-edge technology and refining user experience, Snap aims to position itself as a leader in the augmented reality market.