Snap began selling its AR-enabled Specs glasses on Sept. 16 for $2,195, marking the consumer launch of its standalone mixed reality device.. The glasses have a 51-degree field of view and use in-lens overlays and artificial intelligence-powered elements for digital interaction..
Snap has spent more than a decade developing the product and has positioned Specs as a key part of its future direction.. The launch follows years of work that started with Snap’s first camera-equipped Spectacles in 2016. The company also introduced World Lenses in Snapchat that year, allowing users to place augmented reality elements over their camera view, and filed patents tied to expanded AR functions..
Snap’s earlier Spectacles push lost momentum after an initially high-profile debut. Consumer interest fell, and the company later lost millions of dollars on unsold inventory after misjudging demand.. Snap has since continued working on AR glasses while trying to improve production capacity and reduce costs..
The current consumer version of Specs weighs three times more than regular sunglasses. It also offers a narrower digital field of view than smart glasses from Meta and Apple.. A public preview in June prompted questions about comfort and wearability.
Images of Chief Executive Evan Spiegel wearing the device drew attention to the glasses’ bulk and raised concerns about their weight.. Specs are available through the company’s Specs website.. Featured image credit.
Tags: Snapspecs
